Help needed please VERY traumatic birth

[Jemima1988]

as usual birth water birth didn't go 2 plan it went like this .......

induction due to limited fluid around baby
manually forced water 2 break
this led 2 awful contractions every 2 mins when I was only 2 cm
pethidine
epidural inserted
forceps used
1 1/2 hours of stitching
surgery due 2 fluid retention on my bits
MORE stitches with a spinal block and a cafetiere
can't move my legs for the whole day
anyone any suggestions for relief in terms of pain
I'm petrified that when they take this cafeteria out in the morning I'm going 2 have 2 wee on all my stitches it's painful enough as it is any advice please? Thanks

Sounds really tough

Weeing on stitches isn't as bad as you expect, more of a sting. Drink plenty so your wee is dilute. Then either wee in the shower (probably not while in hospital!) or use a jug to pour warm water over yourself while weeing.
Pooing is a bit scary too. Best thing for that is plenty of fruit and again fluid, and moving about if you can, to keep it soft.
Stitches are horrible. You can have paracetamol regularly to help. You can also get gel packs that you put in the freezer - again a bit impractical but something to look forward to
Generally you should feel OK in a couple of weeks, and better with every passing day.
Congratulations and hope you feel better soon.

I don't know how to help, but wanted to offer sympathy - and also congratulations on your new baby! I can let you know, though, that wee doesn't sting your stitches. Hope you feel better soon xx

oh, you poor thing
sit in warm slightly salty water? don't stay in after you've wee'd and rinse off with clean water - but ask advice about that first
congratulations on your new baby
good luck

Poor you. I had a spinal and lots of stitches. Was a while ago but seem to recall I had strong painkillers for a week. Not sure how it would have been without but I'm all for not suffering. Ask the midwife.

You poor thing. Nothing can prepare you for how traumatic pushing new people out into the world really is. Best tip I have Makemine has already said, pour water over your bits when you wee. I used to keep a sports bottle on top of the loo for that reason and would fill it with warm water then add either a drop or two of lavender oil or tee tree, alternating between. Helps the stinging but also keeps the wound clean so less chance of infection.

Also, no baths until you're healed (same reason). Congratulations by the way - hope you can enjoy your little one through the pain. It will pass!

Hi Jemima. Get all the drugs you can. Programme your alarm on your phone for reminders for your top ups. Don't rely on midwifes to bring them, buzz for them when your alarm goes. Try and stagger them, so they don't all run out at once. Make sure you leave hospital with drugs and a prescription.

Oh and I found sticking my tens machine back on v helpful. If it has run out of stickiness get some micropore tape to attach it. A lovely support nurse filled a surgical glove with ice cubes and wrapped a cloth around so I could hold it over my bits which helped a bit.

Drinking caffeine will help you absorb paracetamol. Not so great for baby but shouldn't be too big a deal.

Oh and get someone to show you how to breastfeed lying down.

Good luck and well done

I had a third degree tear. Spent 1hr+ in theatre being repaired, then 24 hours catheterised.

I was scared about weeing as well. But, actually, it didn't hurt at all. I didn't even have any stitches that were visible externally. I was incredibly surprised about that.

So, it may not be as bad as you're imagining. I'm sorry you've had such a hideous time.

Ouch... But I promise you will heal
I had a catheter and the first 24 hr post partum was sore and painful...however when they took the catheter out waaaymore comfy as it was that which had been as bad as the stitches
Dose up on pain killers
Take antibiotics prescribed
Watery wee and poo through drinking and apricots etc
Look at smally wriggly baby and congratulate yourself on good cooking!!!

sorry you had an awful time but congratulations!!
my first was awful and painful after. I got paracetamol and diclofenac (took regularly for quite a while, they work well together and don't affect breast feeding); also insisted on lactolose to make stools soft so pooing not an issue.
Drink plenty and if sore, pour warm water over stitches whilst weeing x

also plenty of lavender baths x