12 days after an episiotomy - normal? Am I just being pathetic?

[legallyblond]

I had my DD 12 days ago after an induced but very straightforward and fast labour. Only hitch was an episiotomy at the last minute (the cut was curved, not straight towards the anus).

In the hospital, the midwives merrily told me it would stop hurting after about a week.... it didn't!

The stitches no longer hurt, although it occasionally feels like they are "catching" and the gp and community midwife have had a look last week (I am still too scared to get out the mirror!) and apparently all is healing well with no infection.

BUT... I still ache... it feels like really deep aching.. I think its bruising (apparently I was v bruised). Is this normal? I don't think the midwives know/can remember what it actually feels like! The aching is worst when I stand up and walk about. For intance, it aches after standing in the shower for 10 mins or if I do chores, like hanging out the washing. I just feel like I still need to rest - be in bed or sitting on the sofa.

Or... am I just being pathetic and should I just get on and do all my normal things?!

I don't think you are pathetic. I found that, a low ache. I have to say it was a lot more than a week before I felt better. More like a month before I noticed that I hadn't felt any soreness for a while IYSWIM.

And it took well over six months before I didn't experience discomfort on sex (though others I know fared a lot better on that score).

thanks secondtimelucky - a week or even two just seems so so unrealistic... something cut right into my muscle for goodness sake! But... if its not normal, I would want it checked out, obviously (although, as I say, apparently no infection and it is healing well, or was on day 6...)

I had discomfort for nearly a year - and at 12 days was still leaping up with a screech and an oath if I forgot and sat down too heavily (easily done with just-given-birth stomach muscles).

You do need to rest as much as possible. "About" a week can vary a great deal in my experience when it comes to recovery.

I think that it's a bit unfair and unrealistic that they say that too. I was convinced something was wrong and demanded that I wasn't signed off from the midwives until about 2.5 weeks because I kept wanting them to check the stiches weren't infected. They weren't - a midwife even asked if it was ok for a student she had with her to look at the 'beautifully neat' stiching .

As you say, they have cut right into muscle. It takes quite a while. I think they say it so as not to scare you. When I spoke to the doctor about it at my six week check she said 'oh that's perfectly normal'

It was 3 weeks after my episiotomy before I could walk without looking liked I'd poo'd my pants let alone for things to feel 'normal'. No-one had said how long it would take and I honestly think the pain and discomfort of my stitches were worse than labour. I did have a labial tear as well as the episiotomy. Hope you feel 'better' soon.

It was also about 3-4 weeks for me, before I could walk around and sit down comfortably anyway.

i was very badly bruised. I got the mirror out as soon as i got home and I was black and blue all down my legs (TMI sorry)

2.6 years on it still aches a little if I press it but no pain during sex or anything.

Completely normal. I remember that dull ache in the back all too well. It eased gradually over the weeks following the birth but was still there until around 5 weeks, sorry to say.

I agree it's totally unfair of the midwives to be so dismissive of the healing of an episiotomy. My midwife was so keen to discharge me at 2 weeks that she said the stitches weren't infected - I saw the GP an hour later and he immediately said they were and prescribed antibiotics (his words were, "I feel so sorry for you having to go through this"!). You aren't being pathetic at all. It's a horrible thing to endure, especially when you are looking after a new baby.

Take it easy and lie down as much as possible. I strongly recommend that you DO NOT look at the wound. I didn't dare look until 7 weeks and even then was a bit shocked.

i would say its normal, i think mine was prob uncomfortable with DD for about 5 weeks and then it got uncomfortable again from 25 weeks pregnant with DD2 - give it time and if it is still sore at your 6 week check then mention it?

I found the best way to ease that achy 'dragging' sensation was to do more pelvic floor excercises. Don't worry too much, 12 post birth is still early

sounds normal to me. i got funny deep pains on and off for quite a few weeks. now at 14 weeks can't remember when it stopped hurting! ages ago.

word of warning - don't try sitting on a hard chair for a good month!

congratulations btw.

Normal.

It took me a few months to get "back in the saddle" again.

And then when I did I got pg again. [hblush]

Not at all pathetic! Birth affects us all differently and just because someone feels great after a few days doesn't mean you will. I was suprised how long it took me - it seemed to get better after a few days and then felt so sore. You will be so bruised and as your skin knits back together it will be stretching and sore again. Please don't worry. I was so sore from walking around and a friend who has just had her second baby and tore 4 weeks ago said she can only just sit on a chair without needing a cushion!!!

If you are worried get the midwife to take a look. Arnica cream may help too. I made the mistake of looking with a mirror down there a few days after to see the cut - big mistake!! It was carnage and I don't recommend it but believe me when I say there is no wonder you are still hurting after 12 days!!

PS. I had a real hang up about sex for ages as a result too as it felt like I was going to tear again. All completely normal and I promise you will feel like you used to again down there.