Tears & pelvic floor - help / advice please?!

[Biggem]

Hi,
Had my gorgeous DD2 by VBAC sat am, unfortunatley I had a 2nd degree tear and a graze (!) to the labia, stitches to the tear but the graze was left.
Now, I can't stop my urine mid flow and when I try to tighten the muscles any other time it just hurts!
Any advice and where can I get some useful info on the right exercises to do?
Ta!

[griphook]

I had a third degree tear, and 6 months on can just about stop my urine. As you only had baby sat I wouldn't worry too much yet, but if it continues go to gp and get a referral to physio.

[Gingerbreadlatte]

Give it some time, you only gave birth 3 days ago!

Start proper pelvic floors now and even if you feel it's doing nothing it will be. Just make sure you are doing properly.

Congratulations BTW

[Biggem]

Thanks guys! I was so excited to get my vbac after going late and a section being booked I forgot all about the downsides to vaginal birth!!
So fricking SORE!!

[griphook]

Are you taking anything for the pain? Paracetamol is good.

Get your midwife to have a quick look at the stitches next time you see her.

Rest as much as you can. ( I know it's virtually impossible with a baby)

It does get better just takes time

[Biggem]

Paracetamol but its not doing much, me said as the stitches tighten it will get worse before it gets better, happy days!
DH has 2 weeks off so I'm not having to run around after DD1 which is helping

[cravingcake]

Try taking both paracetamol & ibuprofen, do it by the clock though not just when you are a bit sore. For example paracetamol at 6am, 10am, 2pm & 6pm, & ibuprofen at 8am, 1pm & 8pm. Do double check what the dosages are on the packs. This should definitely help with the pain but dont take like this for too long as you dont want to mask any infection or other pains. Be careful not to overdo things and rest when you can.

I second getting mw to check the stitches just to make sure theres no infections.

Lasty there is a really good thread somehwere on here, i'm on my phone so cant link it but will try to find it for you. I think it was titled episiotomy & recovery.

[Biggem]

Thanks cake mw/HV is out for 5 day check tomoz so I will double check pain relief options as I'm BFeeding. I think it's the graze that is causing the most pain tbh...

[cravingcake]

I had a 4th degree tear and paracetamol & ibuprofen was the only pain relief I used for about a month post partum & i was breastfeeding, so it can definitely help if taken correctly.

Good luck for your 5 day check tomorrow, I havent been able to find the thread with the info about pelvic floor excercises but just keep doing them even though you will be bruised and may not be able to feel it properly, any movement in the area helps the blood flow, which in turn helps the healing process.

Just dont expect too much too soon, but if you are still uncomfortable in the next couple/few weeks then do not hesitate to call your GP. They are surprisingly helpful after childbirth and no question is a silly question.

[cravingcake]

Oh and try taking arnica to help with bruising.

[rogersmellyonthetelly]

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are both fine for bf. don't suffer with it, there's no need. If it stings your stitches and graze when you wee, get a jug of warm water to tip on your sore bits as you wee to stop the sting. Also pat dry rather than wipe it hurts less! Arnica for bruising is really helpful. Your pelvic floor is rather traumatised at the moment I'm afraid, but keep up with the exercises and it will get better I promise.

[Biggem]

I asked midwife if I could take anything other than paracetomal and she said no!! She said I should just soak in a warm bath...err hello newborn and a 17 month old, when exactly am I supposed to find time to soak!!?

It's easing off thankfully and I'm doing the exercises as much as poss... Haven't tried to stop mid flow again yet tho

[TheonlyWayisGerard]

I was given diclofenac for my 3rd/4th degree tear. And I was breast feeding/expressing at first. I also got lavender oil for the bath, if you have time for a quick one occasionally. My pelvic floor is fine now. No different to before I had DD tbh so I'm sure you'll be fine in due course.

[cravingcake]

Biggem, you can definitely take ibuprofen as well as paracetamol when breastfeeding (providing theres no other medical issues we dont know about). If you phone nhs helpline or your normal
Gp they would tell you the same.

Like you say, with a toddler & a newborn finding even 5 mins to just sit and relax is hard, let alone soaking in the bath.

[Pinotgrigioplease]

I was the same as Gerard

I was taking paracetamol and diclofenac at the same time as breastfeeding.

Hope you feel better soon

[Biggem]

Thanks so much for all the responses!
I forgot about dicloflanic, I had it post section first time round and was BFeeding.
It's a lot less sore now, still swollen a bit.
I have been doing the stop mid flow exercises...are there anymore I should know about?!

[MyLastDuchess]

Do give yourself some time! I had an episiotomy with my first and I swear I couldn't feel a thing down there for at least 5 days, probably much longer which I've repressed the memory of! Within a few weeks it was all much better. Your muscles have had an incredible workout and it does all feel odd for a while.

Congrats on your new little one by the way :)

[Pinotgrigioplease]

I was told to work on my pelvic floor exercises everytime I was breastfeeding. I can't remember the exact terms but I was given 2 different types to do. Short, sharp clenches as though I was trying to stop mid flow and then longer ones to the count of 10.

A good tip was to see how many short ones I could do to begin with. This was then my starting point to gauge improvement from. I was told never to do more than 10 short ones at once.

Same with the longer ones except your starting point was how many seconds you could hold for then again you were to try and build this up to 10 for 10 seconds each.

Hope that makes sense and is some help.

[GockandJuice]

I never realised how good I had it after having my baby reading this, I really feel for you. I did do pelvic floors when I was pregnant and sometimes now but I am lazy. If I do I put two fingers in (clean) obviously do ten quick clenches (you should be able to feel yourself tighten round your fingers, i use two as I have super skinny fingers) I do ten sets of them then do three sets of holding as long as possible round my fingers. During the day I just do my usual wee's and stop mid flow and hold for 20 seconds then do the rest and I've never had any trouble. Good luck! Also peservere as I can imagine they take time to feel effect like anything, it is a muscle your training up after all!