Postnatal recovery

[oscarwilde]

Had DC2 almost 5 weeks ago (first birth was uncomplicated EMCS due to failure to progress). I had a scheduled ELCS but my waters broke early and labour progressed swiftly. DC2 was back to back (again) and needed forceps in the end but just for one push though I did burst a few blood vessels in my eyes doing it. Not a good look - takes circa 3 weeks to go if anyone is in the same position.

So the question is this - by now with a CS I felt absolutely fine and was just waiting to be signed off to drive. Everyone blathers on about vaginal birth being a quicker recovery but I'm really not feeling it so far despite only needing some internal stitches. I can't sit on a hard surface/firm chair with any comfort; my privates are still swollen and bruised internally, I have some attractive and uncomfortable piles, I am continent but cannot control my flatulence and I'm a bit leaky, and my vagina is more akin to a bucket. If I walk for any distance or wear jeans, my vaginal area feels more bruised and on fire.

Is this normal? Can I expect significant improvement fairly soon or should I see my GP. I still have to take ibuprofen /paracetamol to deal with it which I didn't expect by now. Labour was G&A only so I guess I have a reasonable pain threshold.

I would advise to lie down rather than sit, as much as possible so there is no weight on your bruised privates. 5 weeks does seem quiet a long recovery, so it wouldn't hurt to get your doctor to check, just in case you have developed an infection.

In the meantime try soaking some pads in witch hazel and putting them in the freezer. These feel great when you put them in your knickers and really help with any swelling and bruising.

Hope you are feeling a lot more comfortable, very soon.

I would recommend pelvic floor exercises to improve the blood flow to the healing areas and to improve muscle tone. Its also worth getting a swab taken for a low-grade infection including thrush.If you do that this week, you should get results at your 6 week check.

I would see my GP, this was me at week 2 but not week 5. Do you have a 6 week check soon?

Sorry you are stlll so sore. i had internal stitches 'only' but i had 4 enormous vaginal tears so tonnesof stitches. it took 8 weeks for them to heal and also had pain when sitting etc etc. i would also See your GP for a check up and recommend pelvic floor exercises.

I felt very dismissed by the midwives checking me who looked at the outside and said everything looked beautiful in a what are you fussing about kind of way. Things did recover ...just slowly. I found sitting on cushions, ice packs and bf whilst lying on my side most helpful.

Welcome to the reality of an instrumental birth. Part of the VB good CS bad culture we live in is the assumption that all VBs are easier on the body than CSs, in particular the recovery. I bet no-one has imposed CS-style rest and banned vigorous activity have they?

It's perfectly possible to be feeling this bad at this stage. Do get checked out as advised. I had an epi that broke down so different to you but TBH I've never been the same since (now over 3 years ago). I couldn't sit without searing pain for 2 months. Diclofenac is a good painkiller if you could get your GP to prescribe it. I'm afraid you'll get scant sympathy from midwives/health visitors/GPs who expect you to just suck it up as part of childbirth.

Not sure if you are bf but I could only bf sitting up which exacerbated the pain. If you could learn to do it lying down it will help.