Help! My Urethra is huge

[smint]

Please could someone let me know if it's normal for your urethra to get stretched out after giving birth?
I had my ds nearly 5 weeks ago and took a look "down there" the other day, and to my horror saw that it looked very "open". I've been feeling like I'm on the edge of getting an infection but nothing has happened yet. I'm a bit freaked out to ask my GP if it's normal so any advice would be GREAT!

Thanks

I never looked as i was terrified to see the damage! Are you in pain?

not really! it stings sometimeswhen I go to the loo though

I know things be as they were (!) but I'd like them to be kinda normal!

5 weeks isn't that long ago i'm sure docs say six weeks is still early days. Ask about it at your six week check. Things won't look the same but as for stinging when you wee it was same for me

This is my first baby so I didn't know what to expect! I feel better that someone else has had something similar - how many kids do you have?

Thanks, I'll definitely ask at my check next week!

I couldn't help it! I wanted to make sure I was ok

Not the same but similar .. After my 2nd my i had a feel and i was closed inside, i was terrified and thought id had a prolapse, i was sobbing,

but it was fine,

things just need time to settle!

If you are concerned visit your GP or talk to your HV.

I'm a nightmare for being impatient! I want everything back to normal ASAP!! I feel so silly, I expected to spring back into my old shape immediately! I know I need to chill but it's hard

Kittylette you must have been so scared! Thanks for the support, I'll def ask the dr when I go

I was!!

I had had DS at home and had gone to mothercare the next day.

So when this happened all i could thin was 'i was walking too soon and my guts have fallen out!"

Nightmare!!! Was you dr reassuring when you asked? I'm a bit scared of being told to stop being silly - the hospital I went to just said things like "well you are in labour" when I asked questions, so I'm apprehensive to say the least

My midwife had a look on her next visit, she was lovely about it.

Maybe I'll ask the HV at his 6 week check before I ask my GP! Then I'll have 2 opinons

Yes, there's a very good reason why we used to have 'confinement' after a birth, why in some cultures women get waited on for up to 40 days post partum. Your body DOES need time to adjust, recover, heal etc after birthing. Your pelvic floor needs time to recover and if we start doing it all the day after birth then we could be in for a bit of a shock later.

The 80s and the have it all and do everything mentality that we have now have a lot to answer for!

Respect your body and what is has just achieved, take time to chill, bond with your new baby, let siblings bond too, and enjoy the babymoon! They grow so fast, try not to fast forward through it all.

Sorry, I can be such a mother hen sometimes!

Thanks Klaw you are right. I love my new baby and I'm still trying to get to know him (he's my first and asleep in my arms as I type ) I've always put a lot of pressure on myself and I should try to use this new phase of my life to be more relaxed.

did you have a urinary catheter during or after the birth?

yes I did - I was scared that they left it in there when I first looked {blush}

it was during the labour but I think they took it out when I was pushing

then that may have stretched it a little, and can also make you feel as though you are getting an infection, if it irritated the urethra a little.

You can ask your HV, but they probably won't say much except drink plenty of water to help avoid further irritation.

Thanks Belgo, I should have known that would have contributed, I guess I thought it would have gone back by now!

it's quite normal for things to change 'down there' after having a baby, usually it's nothing to worry about.

Thanks everyone for the advice and reassurance! I'm off to have some breakfast :0