Forceps / episiotomy recovery

[Badgergirl123]

Our gorgeous DD was born on Christmas Eve via forceps after a 27 hour labour with over 3 hours of pushing. Initially felt not too bad, home for xmas and able to look after her and even do a bit about the house. Pain was there, struggled to sit / stand / walk but bearable with ibuprofen / paracetamol and a bit of moaning!

Yesterday things started to go downhill and today reached a point where I could neither sit nor stand, just cry! Midwife today said healing ok but very bruised and swollen. I suppose I'm looking for a bit of reassurance things will be ok, psychologically feeling defeated as things worse rather than better. Am using baths, lavender oil, arnica, painkillers and ice packs - anything else that's worked for anyone?? We fought so hard to have DD and just want to enjoy her!

Thanks in advance.

my sister bought me one of those pile cushions that looks like a donut and that really helped. you can get them on Amazon. I know you said you're using painkillers but which ones? make sure you take them regularly, the max dose each da6 to keep up a supply in your blood stream.

I did find the pain was worse a few days in. it's swollen and bruised. I felt much better after about 2 weeks. I feel sorry for you, it's absolutely horrible! my friend who had a c-section recovered much better than I did.

I got to this stage. I needed antibiotics. The midwife didn’t see the problem. My amazing gp did though.

Second the pile cushion, and a tepid/warm bath with lavender and tea tree oil in it at least once a day. Arnica helps with bruising too. Hope you feel better soon, I still remember the discomfort and my DD1 is nearly 19!

Totally agree with other posters. Definitely get a cushion and do take pain relief. I wasn't able to sit for about 10 days - standing or lying down only - but after that the swelling went down and it healed absolutely fine. Hang in there.

I was told it gets worse before it gets better as the bruising swelling makes the stictches tighter. Hang on in there, it’s horrible but you will get there. Keep taking the drugs alternatively so you are always topped up, and second the pile cushion / rubber ring / just staying in Bed!

Congratulations on your little one

I was in exactly your position after a very similar birth story with my DS. I found it was the bruising causing most of the pain. Arnica capsules helped and staggering paracetamol / ibuprofen so that i never went too long with pain relief wearing off. I did find that if I wasn't keeping dosed up I would be in agony. Get plenty plenty plenty of rest! Lying down helps. Applying cold/hot water from a shower hose to the area (whichever feels most soothing) can also help. And I've just seen a product called spritz for bitz online that gets good reviews. I felt better after around 5-7 days but couldn't really go for a walk or anything until about 14 days post birth. Every day should start to feel a bit better. You'll get there, here's wishing you a speedy recovery x

I used to do tea tree baths. I really feel for you, it’s horrible. It does get better though. It took me a while to feel myself though, it was six weeks before I felt up to speed. I can still remember the look of horror on the visiting midwife’s face when I asked her to check if stitches looked ok. It will feel like you’ll never feel normal again. You will. Take care of yourself and congratulations!

My first child was a forceps episiotomy delivery too. Your post brought it all back to me. I was emotionally blue for a few days too, and periodically quite traumatised remembering the details of the birth. I stayed in hospital for 2 days though so you really do need to know you are doing well to be home so quickly. I didn't have access to the internet and pile cushions then, but my lovely parents brought me a rubber ring , ie the swimming aid, which probably helped in the same way.

It will get better, it won't be like this forever. My only advice would be to get everyone helping you, try to find a comfy position (lying on the bed?) and just make it your mission to bond with your baby.

Oh and don't rub between your legs with a towel after a bath/shower. Use a hairdryer on a mild setting. Bliss!

Oh yes! Pour water over your stitches when you wee. It was stinging agony otherwise!

The first poo was the scariest thing ever (the idea of it rather than the reality) but I imagine you have passed that hurdle by now?

Thanks so much for so many speedy replies!

Have ordered a doughnut cushion - should have thought of that! Have some diciofenac from midwife now which takes the edge off slightly. Two different midwives have checked it out and apart from pain no other signs of infection so hopefully not that!

Hope one day very soon this is all a fuzzy memory, will update with how I get on in case anyone going through the same in future.

I had 2 sections but I definitely felt like crying after about 3/4 days. Your hormones crash at this point so it’s torally normal. Take care of yourself x

Ah bless you op. Bruising from forceps really is the worse. I had quite a vicious forceps delivery as we urgently needed my DD out and when my midwife checked my stitches the next day she said “oh god your black and blue”. I was SO swollen and bruised.

I even checked myself at 5 days pp. and my vagina and perineum was generally blue from bruising.

Was very painful to sit although I did also had a 3rd degree tear as well as episiotomy..🙄. It will all go down give a few more weeks and it will start to feel much more better. Take the body a good 4/5 weeks to properly deal and eliminate bad bruising though.

I’m 14 weeks post forceps and episiotomy and it is a distant memory. Think it was about 10 days before I could walk/lie completely painlessly and another couple after that to sit x

I would recommend one of those pads that you can heat up and freeze , they sell them in Superdrug think there ment to be for muscle pain .
Freeze it the sit on it , it's pure bliss !

Thanks again for all the replies and advice, agree re bathe, ice and painkillers in particular!

Things got so bad the day after original post I knew something wasn't right and called triage at hospital (in Glasgow and here you can still be seen by maternity triage for 21 days post-birth which is great) and they asked me to go in. Was told stitches clean and healing well but there was infection internally where forceps used hence the hard swelling on one side. Given a course of antibiotics and already feeling like a new woman - still sore and having to take it relatively easy but much more in-line with the kind of discomfort I would expect. If in doubt or things get much worse would recommend getting double checked!!

Glad you’re feeling better. I am nearly 3 weeks postpartum with forceps/episiotomy and feel much better. Still a bit bruised but ok.
Second all the tips here but my top tip is thin maternity pads - not those massive ones people tell you to get. Big ones rub the stitches I found. Made a huge difference when I changed!

You poor thing. I had forceps :( if you can try and get lots of rest (within reason i know its hard with a new born), and don't do anything chore related, don't walk too far, carry push chair or anything if you can avoid. Put your feet up and keep taking ibuprofen on a regular schedule. Wishing you better soon.

Rest rest rest. Ice the bruising. Go easy on carrying anything heavier than baby. If you're breastfeeding, see if you can figure out feeding lying down. Would probably be worth asking for a referral to a physio at your 6 weeks check too.