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Childbirth

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

Original poster

How long does the pain last after birth? And what can I do to help?

62 replies

chloemegjess · 05/01/2008 23:20

Hello. I had my DD a week ago and still in agony "down there". I don't really feel any better than I did the dau after the birth. It is really painfull and agony when I go to the loo, walk, move etc. Even the maternity pads are uncomfortable as they get in the way and make me more sore!

When I spoke to my midwife, she seemed to think I was putting too much lavender in my bath, which I had been doing at least once a day to try and help it heal. She said this was why it is still hurting so much and I should just cut down. I have stopped using it now and if anything, am in more pain than before!

I am getting so fed up of the pain and it is stopping me getting on with my day. I have been in tears with it at times as it is just so painfull.

Anybody know when this wil go? Or how I can help it?

Please help!

OP posts:
fingerwoman · 05/01/2008 23:22

lavender oil is good. keep using it.
try taking arnica tablets and/or cream
do get your midwife or GP to take a look
"down there" for you though to make sure all is healing ok.

also, I never liked maternity pads. I used always ultra nighttime ones from straight after the birth and they are much more comfy and just as absorbant IMO.

candypandy · 05/01/2008 23:24

have you tried salt in the bath? don't know if this is still recommended but I did it
you poor thing. I remember the first (poo ) being like ten thousand knives
are you sure everything is medically alright ?

oregonianabroad · 05/01/2008 23:26

Here's a tip (sorry if this is TMI): fill a water bottle that has a sport-type nozzle on it with lukewarm water and squirt the area as you wee, it really soothes it and helps to keep it clean. As for poos, hold a sanitary towel over your front bits while you push, and again, flush the area with warm water or bathe after.Eat lots of fruit and veg, or take something to make your stool softer. Lift your legs or support them on a stool when you are doing a poo, this will help gravity!

take loads of parecetemol.

if you can find a child's inflatable swimming ring, sit on it.

i felt better after the first week. hope you are feeling better soon!!

LittleBottle · 05/01/2008 23:28

I hurt for about a week too - it wasn't just the stitches (I had 3) but my whole pelvic area felt bruised and the muscles felt really sore. I was given co-codamol when I left hospital - it really helped, along with anti-inflammatory tablets. Were you given anything like this? If not, might be worth speaking to your MW.

I hope it improves soon!

joedar · 05/01/2008 23:28

Oh poor you I too was in bits after my first delivery but subsequent were just fine so don't get disillusioned.

This helped me I would poor warm water on my bits while peeing. It dilutes the urine so their is less stinging and its also cleaning the area.

Loads of salt in the bath and a few baths a day.

Give it another week and you should be feeling better.

Original poster
chloemegjess · 05/01/2008 23:32

Where can I get the arnica tablets from?

As for the salt - does this not sting? And can I use it with the lavender? How much can I use?

I tried the water thing (actually sat in the shower with the showerhead there, which my midwife recommended) it was agony and worse than without it! And then I had to disinfect the bath! lol.

I think I am going to try and make a doctors appointment on mon. I would have done this before, but I really panic about them having a look, as I don't want them to touch anything as it is agony! I read on a post on another forum about somebody having an examination after birth, and the MW was really rough with her and really hury and made it worse!

OP posts:
candypandy · 05/01/2008 23:34

no the salt doesn't really sting
it's the same principle as walking into the sea when you have a cut on your foot
can't for the life of me remember why
but you can be quite generous with the salt i think
everyone except mothers will tell you it doesn't make any difference! (well they did to me but they were wrong darn it)

oregonianabroad · 05/01/2008 23:39

Sorry the shower head thing didn't help, but were you sort of aiming up or aiming down? The point is to flush it all away from you, so point the nozzle at your pubic area, squirt down and into the toilet -- the shower might have been too forceful.

joedar · 05/01/2008 23:39

The shower head is too severe just pour some warm salted water gently over as you pee. Salt is fine with the lavender.

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 05/01/2008 23:39

No, a handful of salt in the bath won't sting, it will soothe. A few drops of lavender will help, as I recall I used about 6 or so. You may not fancy the idea but peeing in the bath will save a lot of stinging, and you don't need to disinfect the bath afterwards as fresh urine is sterile. (Obviously do it if you want to!)

Witch hazel on a maternity pad can help with soreness, but are you sure you don't have any stitches or minor grazes/tears down there? I had a second degree tear, after a week it was verrrry sore, but after two it was almost gone, and after three weeks all pain and soreness was gone completely. I would definitely have your doctor take a look down there if you aren't feeling better in a week.

oregonianabroad · 05/01/2008 23:40

And just ask them to be gentle! It is your body, don't let them touch you in any way you are uncomfortable with!

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 05/01/2008 23:41

I second that. I never had another examination but tell them in no uncertain terms that it is SORE, and you don't want a very intrusive examination. They don't have to hurt you to look!

CreativeJo · 05/01/2008 23:46

Ouch...I used Savlon liquid in a very hot bath. I also used witch hazel on pads to sooth. Get the area in question 'looked at' - hope you feel better soon

Original poster
chloemegjess · 05/01/2008 23:52

Where can I get witch hazel and how do I use it? Eg. how much etc

Will try the salt thing.

As for what has been said about the examinations - my hospital didnt take into account any of my wishes or anything when I was in labour, I dont suppose they will now! I had a very bad experience in hospital, which is why I don't really want to go back!

OP posts:
Sushipaws · 05/01/2008 23:57

I had a tear and grazing. The grazes hurt more than the tear and took 3 weeks to heal. I was using savlon (which stung) and witch hazel in my bath, I also poured cool water over while I pee'd as I found the coolness soothing.

My friend had trouble pooing for months after her birth, it turned out she had a rectal tear. If your midwife is still visiting ask her to look but explain you are VERY sore.

Good Luck and congradulations on the wee one.

JamesAndTheGiantBanana · 06/01/2008 00:04

Chloe, you can buy witchhazel from any chemist and probably most supermarkets, it comes in a bottle and it's cheap. Just pour some on a maternity pad (not enough to completely soak it obviously!) Also, try to have some time in the day without your knickers to let the area air and heal.

You have my sympathies regarding having a horrible time of it at the hospital, I was dreading subsequent examinations, didn't want to be touched at all. But it has made me find my voice regarding telling them EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN! lol Tell them they WILL be gentle. There's no point in being polite and putting up with hurried clumsiness. Try not to dread it too much, you can always tell them to stop. x

CreativeJo · 06/01/2008 00:10

Most supermarkets (and chemists) sell Witch Hazel ... in bottles near pharmacy section. Witch Hazel can be used pretty darn liberally on pads and is delightful when applied after being cooled in the fridge. I had an episiotomy and it helped enormously. (It is also brilliant as an astrigent on zits!!!)

TLSM · 06/01/2008 00:29

By the sounds of it you have grazing this is the thing I am dreading most this time around as has major grazing last time I can remember sitting on the toilet crying! the warm water really works when you have a pee thats all I did as I didnt think there was much else I could do it took me 5 weeks to heal fully about 3 weeks of the intense stinging when peeing!

Gemy · 06/01/2008 17:00

I was very uncomfortable following my first birth. I used 6 drops lavender, 3 drops tea tree oil and 1 tablespoon of milk in my daily bath. But, I do remember the area was generally painful and very sensitive. I too used the Always pads instead of maternity pads and also Tena pants are very good and very soft and squishy.

I think for me it was about 3 months before I chanced normal knickers (thong or french knicker style thong)

Definatly get the area looked at but it does take time to heal. I know that's not much practical help, but if you have lots of bruising and stitches you're just going to have to wait.

I bought some distilled witch hazel from Boots just incase I needed it this time (which I didn't) and it was only about 96p or something like that. I did have to ask where it was though, it was near the anti-septic stuff like TCP etc. It's in a glass bottle otherwise I would send it to you! (I don't think it'd make it through the post!)

Original poster
chloemegjess · 06/01/2008 22:39

Thank you for all your help. Will try and get some witch haxel tomorrow and some arnica tablets if I can find them.

Still in alot of pain, taking paracetamol every 4 hours when needed, but trying not to take to many as I am breastfeeding.

OP posts:
TLSM · 07/01/2008 16:53

you poor thing it will get better

FrannyandZooey · 07/01/2008 16:57

I found tea tree oil helpful but check with your midwife that it isn't too strong to use

I put some diluted tea tree oil on a tissue and held it over the sore part when weeing - it numbs it a little

franke · 07/01/2008 17:06

I also had calendula tincture - about 20 drops in a jug of water and douse it over the affected area (squat in the shower or bath to do this). All the other suggestions here also worth trying. Poor you, it's rotten having to deal with all this on top of everything else in the first couple of weeks. Hope you feel better soon.

andiemustlosehalfastonemore · 07/01/2008 17:10

try taking nurofen as well you can if you are bf I had very quick delivery and felt like fanjo had done 10 rounds with mike tyson the nurofen really helped

Original poster
chloemegjess · 07/01/2008 21:34

I didnt think you can take nurofen when BF? I thought it was just paracetamol? I maybe wrong though. This is what a midwife told me, but I haven't had the best midwives in the world!

OP posts:
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