Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

Original poster

Painful stitches

19 replies

Babyblues14 · 19/09/2017 15:20

Hi, I gave birth 3 days ago and tore in 4 places so I'm stitched to death and in absolute agony. I can't sit down on my bottom. Have to sit sideways. Walking is painful. I can't stand in one place for too long.
And when I need a pee I literally cry at the thought. I've tried to pee in the shower but it seems to hurt more and I can't bend to get in the bath.
I have seen the midwife and she has assured me it's not infected so won't give any antibiotics. I know it will heal soon but right now I literally lock myself in the bathroom and cry from the pain. It's really hard to bond with my baby when I feel constantly shit.
Just don't know what to do

OP posts:
KingJoffreysRestingCuntface · 19/09/2017 15:25

I was the same.

It's shit but I promise it gets better.

Take regular painkillers and keep a jug by the toilet and pour warm water onto yourself as you pee.

It sucks. You have my sympathy.

SnowBallsAreHere · 19/09/2017 15:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Joinourclub · 19/09/2017 15:54

I had that with my first. Very painful initially and then uncomfortable and sore for a few weeks.

I sat on a cushion and didn't move far for the first few weeks.

I was much better after my second child.

My midwife prescribed me some strong painkillers which really helped. What are you taking?

Original poster
Babyblues14 · 19/09/2017 16:26

Just been told to take paracetamol and ibuprofen as I'm breast feeding

OP posts:
GrumpySusan · 19/09/2017 17:50

Not as bad as you OP but I had episiotomy and stitches 5 days ago and I agree it really does get better- incidentally day 3 was the worst for me too.
Yesterday felt much better and today slightly better again.
Other things that haven't been mentioned yet-
stay hydrated (I know you don't want to pee but diluted pee isn't as bad)
Try a kids rubber ring/piles cushion so it takes pressure off. If you can't get hold of one roll a towel up so you can keep your stitches in the hollow.
Rinse it in the shower a couple of times a day- helps feel fresh and surprisingly soothing.
Put some water in a condom in the fridge. Less scary than prospect of ice. Keep it in your knickers for 15mins min.
Hope you feel better soon x

ItchyFoot · 19/09/2017 17:53

Once you think you can manage the bath get in everyday and add some salt. I has some special bath dead Sea salt but my mum said she used normal rock salt.

jensner · 19/09/2017 18:03

I feel your pain. The tricks that worked for me were:

Water bottle with sports cap filled with warm water and a few drops of tea tree oil - squirt it on while you're peeing.

Warm bath every night for 10-15 mins (I did just enough to sit in) with 5 drops each of tea tree and lavender.

Gauze soaked in witch hazel kept in the fridge and put on top of a maternity pad - the cold was bliss!

HTH

GlennRheeismyfavourite · 19/09/2017 18:03

Have you tried the multi-gyn compresses from boots ? They're expensive but felt amazing (cooling and soothing when the stitches felt stingy) - I definitely recommend them. I went through 2 boxes when my little one arrived two weeks ago. I also found it helped to have a really good cry and tell dh just how shit it feels!

GlennRheeismyfavourite · 19/09/2017 18:10

I also weirdly found peeing in the shower painful - I would lean really far forward on the toilet - I'm not on day 18 post delivery and am finally feeling normal-ish down there. Good luck!!

Scrivs88 · 20/09/2017 12:08

I'm going through the same thing! I have birth on the 7th and still sore. I've been having a bath each night with either few drops of lavender or tea tree in milk and helped loads! Been taking regular dihrdra codeine, ibuprofen, paracetamol. And arnica. Sending you hugs as I need it's hard xx

SnowiestMountain · 20/09/2017 12:11

I had this too, horrendous! Couldn't agree more with the lavender and tea tree in a warm, not hot bath. Also I sat on a child's blow up swimming ring, not glamorous but so much easier! It will pass in a few days but it's grim when you've got it.

dontquit · 20/09/2017 12:28

Definitely the sports bottle with warm water. Much easier to squirt than using a jug. Squirt while peeing and it will dilute the pee so not stingy at all.
Alternate the ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Ibuprofen every 8 hrs and paracetamol every 6hrs. U will need them both for at least a week.

Could have done with a ring cushion myself after my first.
Shower In the morn, bath in the evening r vica versa.
Also used the cold femme pads..amazing but the coolness only lasts a few mins. Worth it though.

Original poster
Babyblues14 · 20/09/2017 13:11

Thanks everyone, still sore but seems to have moved front to back so I have relief from peeing but still can't sit, baby seems to be sleeping a lot now so I can sleep more which seems to be helping my mood. Just counting down the days til it's gone, thanks again xx

OP posts:
NinaMarieP · 20/09/2017 13:20

I'm breastfeeding too but I was on paracetamol, ibuprofen and dihydracodeine in hospital and then I was discharged with all three as well.

heresn0ddy · 20/09/2017 13:26

Wet and freeze maternity pads

Get a donut cushion

Lie on your side

Take painkillers every time they are due, don't go over

It does get better Smile

sleepymama81 · 20/09/2017 13:30

I had this too. You poor thing it's horrid. I had diclofenac prescribed in hospital and they sent me away with enough for a week afterwards, and my GP prescribed Naproxen for another few days when they ran out (they don't like to keep you on diclofenac for long apparently it can cause stomach problems). If it's really bad speak to your GP about getting some prescription painkiller for a few days.

Drink lots of water too - I know you don't want to pee, but the more diluted it is the less it'll sting.

Smurfy23 · 21/09/2017 08:52

I had this too. Was completely unprepared for it and felt like the world was going to end but it does improve!! I squatted over the loo when weeing and found that helped. Then just being really regimented about taking the paracetamol/ibuprofen at the right time. Lots of love xxx

Salva91 · 25/09/2017 15:26

I had also c-section with such painful stitches. It was really deadly one. I used low dose Augmentin tablets. It reduced my pain. I could went to washroom. I could walked although not too much. My doctor also gave me some other medicines. I drunk a lot of water during my first week. I thanked when my stitches were healed. It took 10 days to come back to rest. I used to lay down most of the time in first 10 days. I only sit for the meal. In start, I also didn't feel any emotional attachment with my baby. But later all things become right.

confused123456 · 25/09/2017 15:34

I had stitches. They're awful.
I also sat on a cushion, and wore comfy clothes (tracksuit bottoms in doors, or a dress or long jumper or cardigan over comfy leggings to go out). Tbh being comfy was more important to me at the time.
Also warm water for when you go to the loo really helps.
( I heard after that things like witch hazel can really help, so could also be worth a try).
Can't comment about the bath as I hate baths and only ever shower, so I never tried to have a bath.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread