Forceps and episiotomy- what is normal?

[buttershy]

Hi all,

I had my lovely baby two weeks ago at 37wks weighing 6lbs 13. I had a very fast labour and due to heart decels when pushing I was given an episiotomy and forceps to get her out.

In hospital I developed an EXTREME pain in my lower back coxcyx area that meant sitting up, getting out of bed and sitting down etc was very very painful. I was eventually told this was normal for forceps delivery and that the coxcyx dips out of the way during labour to allow the pelvis to open so some bruising is to be expected. I couldn't quite believe this was normal especially as I've never heard anyone complain of this sort of pain post labour but I accepted it. A few days after being discharged the pain was still there and with my husband due to go back to work I went to the dr as I was physically unable to get myself out of a chair or bath etc. The dr gave me diclofenic pain killer and reassured me all was well but I was black and blue down there and that the pain was just bruising. It is gradually getting a little better but is still there..is this normal?

Additionally...after having no stitch pain whatsoever a week after baby was born I started getting the awful stinging when peeing, a funny smell and real bad pain just moving about so my midwife examined me pulled a funny face and said get to the Dr's. The dr said my stitches were infected and gave me a course of antibiotics which I finish tomorrow and I have to go back to see him to see if I will need restitching or the open wound packing to prevent it healing over a whole which is filled with bacteria and infected. This has gradually got less painful over the week but I do notice some mucus when I wipe which I presume is from the infection site. I'm now suddenly also having problems pooing. Thankfully I'd been able to do this normally with no problems but suddenly it hurts like hell and there is a small amount of fresh blood when I wipe after.

If anyone can share whether this is normal or not please do..I think part of the problem is I don't really know exactly what they did and haven't had a look down there myself. Care wise i am just keeping the area clean and dry. Airing when possible too. The experience is so horrible and I just can't believe this pain can be normal. I'd go through my pain relief free birth ten times over this recovery pain :(

Thanks X

[Greyhorses]

I had a 'normal' delivery without forceps or stitches but I also had the horrible coccyx pain. I remember it was the first thing I noticed after delivery and it felt like it was broken for a few weeks!

I also had the oozing of the wounds (tears and grazing) for weeks afterwards, if I remember rightly it was a good 6 weeks or so before it started to feel healed. I remember when I wiped I did have some bleeding or bloody dischage from the tears for at least 2-3 weeks after but I also had an infection and they were a nightmare to heal.

I hope you feel better soon

[Fluffsnuts]

I had forceps and episiotomy. My episiotomy healed well, but I'm a good healer. The internal scar however still hurts now, 7 months later. As does my friends scar, hers got very infected and needed restitching, my other friend needed a fentons procedure on her episiotomy.

My cockcyk hurt a lot afterwards too, took 3-4 weeks to go completely, mine was made worse by throbbing at the site of my spinal block from my retained placenta.

The blood in your stool is likely piles, though could be from the diclofenac (it's a known side effect, you need to notify your Dr).

I'm currently having physio for urinary and bowel incontinence following my delivery. I hope you are better soon. It's still really early for you.

[PhloppysFonics]

congratulations!

I had severe back pain too following kiwi cup and episiotomy delivery. It eased after a week.

I got an anal fissure which was sore for a very long time, bleeding and stinging with every bowel movement. It did heal eventually.

You've been through a lot especially with the infection.

I didn't look down there for a long time after!! But things did heal and settle down. I tried my best to keep clean and dry down there and to encourage soft poo to ease the fissure pain and so I didn't have to strain sore stitches.

I hope you feel better soon.

[Mummyme87]

The bleeding from your back passage could be fissure or piles. I got both after a CS

[pinguina16]

Hi buttershy,

No, it's not "normal" and yes, it's horrible.
Like others have said, you should go back to your GP to rule out piles and anal fissure. It also sounds like you might be constipated? Do not strain and make sure you use laxatives.

You need to keep on top of the pain (so to speak as I know you won't be totally pain free for some time). Do take the painkillers at regular intervals and avoid waiting to feel more pain before taking the drugs. You could use a pill box to help you know you're taking all doses every day.
My view is that you should ask to see a women's health physio, particularly if your coccyx hurts when you do pelvic floor exercises.

An episiotomy can take up to 6 months to heal. Not a fact widely advertised before birth. My wounds took 2 months to completely heal and I didn't have any wound infection or needed restiching. I'm just trying to manage your expectations. Personally I would try to arrange as much support as possible for the next 3 months? so you can lie on your side (a lot) and rest. Support for laundry, cooking, a bit of tidying up as well as people helping you get ready to go to medical appointments.
I would also wet maternity pads and freeze and apply two or three times a day for 5-10 minutes to reduce bruising, swelling and help with recovery.

I feel your pain. Hope this is useful.

[Laineymc7]

I had an epistomy and third degree tear. I had a toilet bidet and used to fill it up twice a day with salt and Water and just sit in it. It really helped with soothing and healing. I also used loads of fannels for patting drip after cleaning/going to the toilet. Johnsons wet toilet tissues is also much more gentle than rubbing with toilet roll after a number too. I hope you start to feel better soon.

[backtowork2015]

I had coccyx pain after forceps delivery. It was agonising and I was re hospitalised for it on day 5. Had morphine. Took 3 months to settle down and I was on diclofenac and paracetamol religiously in that time. Still feel it now 3 yrs on it I've sat for a while