Achy feeling down below after birth??

[pyjamapyjama]

I gave birth to my gorgeous son 10 days ago. Since then I've had a sort of ache/muscular pain down below, I spent 5 nights in hospital with my baby being jaundiced and me having an infection and I noticed it most when I was in there walking about or being on my feet.

When I got home from hospital it went away until yesterday, it's sorer than before and it starts about 10 mins after standing up or walking. Only way i can describe it is a heavy achy, muscular pain. I didnt tear but had 2 little grazes that I had stitches for.

Has anyone else had this? Is it normal or should I speak to GP? My community midwife wont be back till Wednesday.

[hearyoume]

I had that for weeks after both of mine. I assume it is something to do with blood flow to the area but I'm not a medic. It definitely hurt more when standing and I couldn't walk far for a few weeks without aching. It felt like I'd been kicked by a horse.

[hearyoume]

Ps congratulations

[smellsofelderberries]

I had this, I think I have a varicose vein. I also think I was doing way too much, and am now having physio because it turns out my daughter did some damage on the way out, which I think I exacerbated by doing too much, too soon (uncomplicated natural delivery too). All I can say is, sit down. Lie down. If you're feeling that aching, it's your body telling you to slow down. It's only now something has gone wrong for me that I have done some research that, after birth, the muscular walls of your vagina are really stretched and weak. They have the full weight of your organs baring down on them. Lifting heavy things (things heavier than your baby) put a lot more added pressure. Do your pelvic floor exercises. Watch some YouTube videos or safe post natal exercises. Rest as much as possible. And enjoy your gorgeous boy 😊

[Cutesbabasmummy]

I have this 2 years after birth. Finally saw a sensible gynaecology Dr last week (after several failed physios) who said my pelvic floor muscles are shot to bits. They will try me on some anaesthetic gel short term and specialist physio long term. A bit depressing.

[sycamore54321]

I had this for about eight weeks. It was horrible. While rest is important, so too is mobility as you are prone to blood clots /DVT in the first six weeks after birth. So get bouts of walking, don't sit cross-legged or in cramped positions etc. For the pain, my obstetrician recommended short periods of lying down rather than sitting, to take the pressure off the pelvic floor. This might only be five or ten minutes at a time but it definitely helped me.

Mine suddenly disappeared at eight weeks. If it persisted much longer, I was going to seek medical attention.

Oh and congratulations!

[AyeAmarok]

I had this, is it a sort of dull, heavy achy pain right between your legs and radiating inside?

It lasted about 8 weeks for me, was agony after being out for a walk, or standing after a walk. Or if I'd been walking for a while and then had to stand and wait for the green man at a crossing or met someone I knew.

I'm 11 weeks PP now and it has all but gone. I thought it was just really bad internal bruising or the muscles just struggling to keep everything in the correct place. Sympathy though, it was agony.

Congratulations on your baby

[sycamore54321]

Also be aware of standing time doing things you don't think of, like standing while cooking or doing dishes. If you can sit for any of that, it hugely helps. Hopefully though with a ten day old baby, someone else is helping out.

[SockQueen]

Do remember that even if you didn't tear much, your pelvic floor muscles will have been stretched more than they ever have before, and will be swollen and bruised, so this kind of feeling is pretty normal. Plenty of rest interspersed with GENTLE exercise, and do your pelvic floor exercises every time you think of them, and it should gradually improve. If you notice it getting uncomfortable after a certain length of time, then rest again. If the pain is getting worse then speak to your GP, otherwise see how you're getting on by your 6 week check.