Has anyone had a episiotomy and forceps and now have a lump in their vagina?!

[tiggerpony]

I had my baby 3 weeks ago tomorrow. I had to be cut, forceps and sustained a nasty 4th degree tear. It seems to be all starting to heal (finally!) but still very sore. When I looked in the mirror today I noticed at the opening of my vagina at the start of the cut they made in me here is a hard lump, and its about 1cm big Has anyone else had this and what is it? Will it get bigger? I heard it's scar tissue but I really, really do not want anymore surgery down there - I'm in so much pain as it is.

 

[maggiemae]

I had an episiotomy, 3rd degree tear, and a delivery by vacuum. I do have something right where the stitches start. I just noticed it recently though and I've been scared to find out what it was. I'd rather it be scar tissue than anything else, I think.

I don't know that this helped any but to let you know someone was in a similar situation. It did take a while for me to be totally comfortable again with no pain.

 

[tuppance]

I had exactly the same birth as maggiemae and have a weird hard lump and a kind of ridge now. I have no idea what it is but need to go back to the dr's as I'm still bleeding when certain things happen so if I find out will be sure to update the post!

 

[tiggerpony]

Thanks guys. It's really worrying. My first thought was "CANCER" - But I think it's scr tissue. I heard the docs can remove it with a cream that makes it die and fall off - but it bloody stings apparantley.

 

[kmumtobe]

It is just scar tissue so nothing to worry about, it's how the muscle/skin heals after it's been damaged, in this case from the episiotomy. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but as with any scar tissue it's just the new way the skin is so there's no easy way to remove it as any further damage would simply result in more scarring. Only the plus side it's purely cosmetic, shouldn't hurt you or cause any probs just wud need to mention if you had another baby as I'm not sure how it would effect future births with risk of tearing. I shall be asking at my 6 week appt x

 

[KatieB]

Yes, it's just scar tissue but it's very alarming at the time, (I had forceps too), I remember feeling physically sick when I felt it but it's gone now. I found warm salt water baths really helped, congrats on your LO

 

[summer rain]

Its just scar tissue and should flatten out to virtually nothing over time, if you've had an episiotomy before there is a risk you will tear in future but generally such tears are minor first and second degree tears-I had an episiotomy with my first and have always torn since but with my middle two boys they had a way bigger than average head circumference, second eldests was 40cm (!) and my second youngest was born with both hands on his face so I think anyone would have had minor tears in those scenarios. With my youngest now the midwife only found I had torn slightly after looking very very carefully with a torch and tbh I think she was over zealous in doing a few stitches as she insisted on doing, I had no pain afterwards from the tears but only from the weird loopy knots she put in the stitches. My SIL had a forceps delivery last time and didn't tear one tiny bit this time, so you never know! xx