still in pain after 7 months

6 replies

vizbizz · 12/09/2006 07:36

Becoming a mom has been a negative experience in so many ways from postnatal depression, bad follow-up support, breastfeeding difficulties you name it. I am just so thankful that my son is well and healthy, but it seems so many things went wrong for me. Most things are ok now, but the pain is wearing me down in ways I never imagined. It is frustrating, and made it take so much longer to bond with baby, it limits what I can and can't do, and I am so grouchy!

Giving birth, I ended up with a 3rd degree tear as a result of long labour, hand presentation, and big baby. At the time I didn't think too much of it, they'd stitch me up, I thought it would hurt for a while till the stitches dissolved, and it would all be ok.

It's now been 7 months and I am still in pain. The stitches dissolved around 4 months, and the pain level dropped quite a bit, but I still can't do very much. Has anyone else had similar experiences? How long did it take for you to feel ok again?

I got fed up with lousy public hospital specialists, and paid to see a private specialist - am starting physio in 2 days time. They will be using ultrasound somehow to try and help the pain. Is anyone familiar with how this works, or had it done?

OP posts:

h27 · 12/09/2006 09:30

Hi! Your not alone! i had my ds 2 and a half years ago and i went 12 days overdue and was induced i was in hospital for 9 days as i had a long and hard labour and i ended up with a third degree tear! i had never heard of it before! i was bad for nearly two years as was very painful! i couldnt even have sex without being in pain! but i was too scared to go back to the doctors! i am now 3 months pregnant with my second and i am seeing a consultant at five months to discuss birth options! as the doctor is advising i have a c section, but very worried about the whole experience again!! Did you find that there was no support regarding third degree tear?

Original poster

vizbizz · 13/09/2006 07:17

Yes, I also found that there is no support once they stitch you back up. It's a real see you later attitude. I had a follow up at 7 weeks post delivery, but they were hopeless and didn't even manage to do that properly! I had to go to my GP to try and get some help and follow up.

Sex? Oh no, there is no way I am going to even TRY that yet! I can't walk properly or even sit on anything without some decent cushioning. Any pressure on the perineum is really sore. I also had 4 pretty bad tears internally, and they are still really sore too.

I can't believe that you didn't go and see someone about it! And from what I hear an induction is almost always a really hard way to deliver. It's funny how antenatal classes don't cover any of this stuff - it's not like they can scare you off or make you change your mind - it's too late for that! But I think it could help you feel like you aren't so alone if you have a bad experience with the birth, don't you think?

I didn't used to like the idea of a c section (and still don't - it's major surgery) but there is no way I will try for another baby without one after all this. I won't risk this happening again.

OP posts:

h27 · 13/09/2006 09:22

Hi, I sat on an inner tube from a wheel barrow for nearly a year as it was the only way i could sit in a sort of comfy posistion! I really do feel for you and wish there was more help out there!! Your right i wish they had of told us more in the antenatal classes! It made me feel depressed for a while! Where abouts did you deliver?

Original poster

vizbizz · 15/09/2006 00:16

An inner tube? I had something like that for the bath so I could soak in salt water, but I found it doesn't work for just sitting. It seems to put more pressure on it

I delivered at the women's hospital in Christchurch NZ.

I finally got to see the physio yesterday, and both she and the specialist are kind of stumped about what's causing the pain for me. She is going to speak to some other physios over in Australia, and see if they can think of anything

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manitz · 15/09/2006 13:07

yes, I'm similar, just had ultrasound am being advised cs for next child. Not as much pain as you, more incontinence which is nice. Will post a new thread as need advice.

Original poster

vizbizz · 17/09/2006 06:17

Incontinence. That really can't be pleasant. Will that eventually resolve, or is it something you will have to live with?

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