Post-childbirth effects on body

[Dozeyland]

What did you have, if any?

I've heard so much about the piles, stitches, skin conditions, weak bladder etc etc...

I felt very well after DD's labour (I did have pph 1000mls 2hrs after and some stitches. but never suffered after? I found going to toilet easier than I thought.

The only thing i feel like I had, was dry skin really? and I lost weight from breastfeeding, more than I wanted to be honest.

after first baby (cs) i couldnt go to loo for few days. Scar was hurting for a bit.

After second (vbsc) - bad back.

In both cases - i have hair loss, sleep loss (kids just dont like sleeping ;), breast from 32c to 34dd, big tummy, high blood pressure, bad skin, swollen fingers, sweats.

But wouldnt change anything!!!!!!! Who cares about new handbag (mine are oversizesed now to fit all kids stuff!) or hair do (im lucky if i have time to wash my hair every day!) - as long as kids healthy and happy! I got the most expencive neckless - kids hugs around my neck!

Not sure if it was long enough ago but immediate post birth effects were:

anaemia, infection, head to toe allergic reaction rash

a little further along and its....

sore tummy, still bleeding (6 wks after CS), weight loss now less than my pre pregnancy weight, dry skin, pain when going to the loo, think that's it. I don't feel in a bad way though, I feel fine tbh.

Oh and I have a weird needle pain in the heel of my foot, sounds completely not related to the birth but it wasn't there before! DP thinks I'm a bit nuts associating it to the epidural.

first DD i was quite sore down below as i had an episiotomy (sp??), and it took me so long to get my energy back. Stung when i weed, scared to poo. wobbly tummy! which eventually went away

second DD only small tear and i felt amazing after the birth, bled lightly for maybe 2 weeks? again wobbly tummy for ages! but had loads of energy. Going to the loo didnt hurt at all, back in the bedroom with DH in 3 weeks! ;)

first DS (1 week ago!!), small tear, again felt amazing after the birth, loads of energy (and thats with the other 2DDs to chase too!) and very little bleeding. Again no pain when going to the loo.

interesting about the skin- mine does seem quite dry too

I'm now nearly 12 months since the birth, and other than still being a stone heavier than pre baby, I feel completely back to normal! Immediately post birth, I had episiotomy so lots of pain down there for a week or 2, boobs were enormous but tender. No piles, no problems using the toilet etc.

Oh, still constantly knackered, I'll be fine once DS realises he's supposed to be sleeping through by now - he must have forgotten to read that page of the manual

Why? If you're fine, then is this a stealth boast or are you worried about next time?

Stretch marks.

Some loss of sensation in my perineum (which was actually rather helpful seeing as I had a 3a tear - didn't feel ANY soreness post birth) but seemingly have gained sensation in the opposite direction making orgasm considerably easier

Saggier boobs but they were heading south before I had DD.

I pulled my abdominal muscles a few times after birth, made lifting and carrying very awkward/impossible.

Next time I will be super careful not to overdo it!

Otherwise everything back the way it was, no stretch marks and nearly back to previous dress size (DD 7 mo)

Ayearoverdue, did you have your feet up in stirrups? If you are up too long or badly positioned it can lead to nerve damage/irritation in the feet/legs.

roxy that's lovely. I also have bad skin sometimes, and as I'm doing it alone
At the moment, DD has my undivided attention, also wouldn't change it for the world
Other than dp being here....long story.

ayearoverdue I was anaemic and still take iron now (but I'm 25+5 DC2) I had
A pph 1000mls with dd so that was why.

Lukewarm I'm 25+5 and just wondered for a 2nd time round.
My pregnancy has been the same other than a sore back due to over-lifting etc

I just remember having a fast labour which my body
Kind of went into a bit of shock! Hence the PPH but I didn't seem fussed tbh.

before I fell pregnant with DC2 25+5 weeks ago, I felt good. Other than
The bad skin, loss of weight making me tinier than pre-pregnancy (not wanted as I'm size
8 usually anyway and people started to think I was ill! Dd did bf until I was 2ish month preg too.
Just thought if I would have a harder labour due to my back feeling weaker (baby seems lower)

Oh and even though my tummy went flat, my muscles do feel different too
I do tend to ramble, and forget what I'm writing.. this phone is silly too!

Zits.
Hangnails. My nails have gone to shit almost immediately after giving birth.
Hair loss four months postpartum with dd1, waiting to see with this one.

Breasts went from 36AA to 34DD. I love my cleavage! Instant boob job without the surgery. I never knew this would happen beforehand.

My nails are terrible too!!

I was very sore for a week or so, had an episiotomy and stitches hurt a lot but I found bathing in tea tree oil really helped.

My skin was awful for about 6 weeks after birth, rashy and broken veins in my face from all the pushing! I cringe looking at the pictures now.

Other than that I was just really tired.

Infected episiotomy stitches (agony, but fine a few weeks later) and a body like a sandbag with some of the sand missing!

Long-term, I now have pelvic congestion, which is basically varicose veins on my uterus, which was diagnosed last summer after two years of wondering what the abdominal pain was.

An ability to sleep standing up, a deterioration in my temper and weirdly poor spelling are the only other lasting effects and before I got pg again, I think I was pretty much back to normal.

Aching legs as though I had just been to the gym for a mega hard workout!
Hair loss
Dry skin
Hallucination due to lack of sleep