Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Nappyzone · 07/01/2008 21:39

i had loads of stitches both times with mine and got loads of instilagel from my mw and friends who had stashes left - it was really soothing and cooling. Failing that i used to eat my tea in the bath. I was told it would peak at 2 weeks when stitches were drying out and tightening (i am squeezing my legs as i type). 2 nd time i was on oodles of painkillers too which i kept up and although not normally my thing they defo helped get me through. Take care

StarlightMcKenzie · 07/01/2008 21:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

morocco · 07/01/2008 22:01

ouch
is it grazing? that is truly painful. pee in a bath of water (ready filled if pos) and have lots of soaks in the bath in between times as well.
i had a lot of trouble with one side and i'm sure it was infected, got better as i took antibiotics for a uterine infection, got worse again when i stopped. i eventually took matters into my own hands and got the mirror out, had a look, worked out where it hurt and put neat tea tree on it a couple of times a day for a while. that did the trick perfectly but I'm not sure it's a recommended technique. made my breath smell of tea tree which was a bit spooky

andiemustlosehalfastonemore · 07/01/2008 22:17

yes you can take nurofen when bf the midwife advised me to take it as I was so sore

Pannacotta · 07/01/2008 22:23

Do get some arnica, uou can get it in Boots now as well as good chemsists, is great for healing. Poor you.
I took arnica after a second degree tear first time round and it helped loads. That and strong painkillers for the first week.

wannaBe · 07/01/2008 22:33

try putting pads in the freezer before use - the cold pad will soothe the area.

giving birth finally made me realize why the bidet was invented.

puffybear · 07/01/2008 22:35

I had stitches after a VBAC with DD2 - the pain when peeing made me practically pass out on the toilet. I used to have every wee in a shallow bath with a few drops of lavender in (no, I didn't venture out much those first couple of weeks!), tea tree oil really stung. You have my sympathy - I found the recovery from a section a walk in the park compared to the agony of my battered bits after a vaginal delivery.

Pannacotta · 07/01/2008 22:37

Those gel soothing pad things which go in the freezer (feme pads think they are called) are good too, Boots and Mothercare stock them.

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 08/01/2008 13:43

Badidas in the bath water is good. Agree that the feme pads are also helpful.

I wouldn't recomend sitting on an inflatable ring as they've been shown to increase the risk of DVT. If it is very uncomfortable when sitting you can get properly designed rings - think they're caled Valle rings and NCT often supply them.

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:49

I was on a heavy duty prescription of the pain killer cocodamol for a week after ds and then the midwife transferred me on to 4 paracetemol a day (had large episiotomy cut).

Took that dose for another week and then started taking them only as when the pain was acute. It really helped.

Don't take cocodamol unless it is prescribed (it is addictive), but do take paracetomol if the pain is really bad - it takes the edge off so that you can concentrate on your baby!! Congratulations

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:52

Also - I got some of those empty sports drink bottles w and kept them full of cool water next to the toilet and in my changing bag and squirted it EVERY time I peed. It diluted the urine and stopped the stinging.

Bky · 08/01/2008 13:53

10 days after birth was the turning point for me, up til then everyday had just been feeling sorer and sorer.

On the 10th day felt better and recovered fairly quickly from then on. (Had forceps delivery with episiotmoy and a 2nd degree tear)

Rantmum · 08/01/2008 13:56

Also - Epsom salts in the bath.

My mum (a retired nurse) suggested this to me and they really helped and kept the wound clean too!

Sorry - had ds 3 years ago and believe it or not the memory of the pain has faded (never thought it would!)

WinnieThePooh · 08/01/2008 14:09

I used tea Tree oil in the bath and Witch hazel on the materninty pads. I found I nned to have a bath after taking DD1 to school. I don't drive and it is a 10 minute walk each way.

claraenglish · 08/01/2008 14:11

Message withdrawn

FourPlusOne · 08/01/2008 14:25

I would definitely agree with the arnica. Had grazing with both of mine and was very sore for about 2 weeks after DC1. Took an arnica tablet straight after having DC2 and then carried on taking them. After about 3 days I really did not feel as if I had just had a baby. Obviously that could have been due to other factors, but much was the same about bith deliveries and the only thing I can think of that I did differently was the arnica.
The feme pads were great after DC1 - I sent my DH out for them and they helped. Didn't use them muvh after DC2 (because I felt better) but actually used them a lot in late pregnancy when my 'bits' were feeling as if they had the weight of the world resting on them!
Also a big yes here for the jug of warm water technique and the witch hazel. I can't believe that they don't tell you to pack a plastic jug in your hospital bag - it was essential to me (and I used to pee in the bath too - the relief after lots of stingy wees was fantastic!).
I still don't know what grazing looks like - I remember after DC1 it was so sore that I didn't dare to even glance at that area for too long let alone have a good old look - i was too scared of what I might see!
Hope you feel better soon.

clouisewood · 08/01/2008 20:04

Hi,
I had the same problem as you. As hard as it is try not to sit down too much because this can make the bruising last longer. As suggested, take arnica and add witchhazel to a maternity pad...this really worked for me. RE: toilet - I used to go in the shower too but dont point the shower upwards: I was warned that my cervix might not have 'sealed' and I should be careful I don't fill up with water - my midwife actually told me this but i'm not sure how accurate it is!!
Happy healing.

michtenstein · 09/01/2008 13:46

def take nurofen as well - you can alternate it with paracetamol so that you always have lots of stuff in your system (nurofen at meal times paracetamol in between and at night if necessary)

Claireykitten · 09/01/2008 21:27

I had a 3rd degree tear after having DS 11wks ago and was on 2 codeine plus who knows what else 4 times a day for the week I was in hospital and could always tell when I was due more pills as I would be barely able to move due to all the aching in my pelvic area. Despite this I was then sent home with just paracetemol to take and when the MW came out the following day she promptly told me that the hospital were just evil to do that to me and that I should get some Co-codamol and take 2 Co-codamol and 1 Ibuprofen as and when I needed it to deal with the pain. I cant really give you any advise regarding going to the toilet as I was unable to wee and had to self catheterise until DS was 6wks old but all the advise from PP sounds about right to me. Hope you start to feel better soon, I promise it does improve!!

Guard · 10/01/2008 13:48

I'm sure you're loads better now but couldn't resist the post. I used to keep witchhazel in the fridge and put it on a big pad of cotton wool for after bath/going to the loo so worth the hassle ! Most people have mentioned all the usual ones - salt, arnica, lavender, and tea tree. I used the lot - the birthing centre also do a herbal bath which you make up with loads of garlic (about 12 cloves from memory) which is quite soothing but stinky too ! Walking around with no pants on also can help if you can , REN also do a lavender bath/shower gel which is 100% natural and incredibly soothing (get someone to buy it for you - available on line). Hope you're getting back to strength - oh and doing pelvic floor exercises helps to as you need circulation for all the bruising and stretching to heal - and it will eventually...

LisaCJ · 10/01/2008 16:02

My midwife suggested Vaseline as I had grazing - slap a generous amount on a wad of toilet tissue and hold it over your bits as you pee. Also use it on your pads as it helps stop any rubbing. Really works!

Likeasow · 10/01/2008 21:22

Neals Yard do an oil and a kind of tea that you can brew up and then put in the bath - that helped me - felt sore for longer than I thought it should - kept spilling water on the floor when trying to pour it on myself while peeing as advised by midwife/books etc. Know exactly how you feel but can now sit/run/pee without pain so know there is light at the end of the tunnel! Also make sure you are drinking enough water as concentrated pee hurts more (I wasn't drinking to avoid going)

Likeasow · 10/01/2008 21:26

I had grazing - but what is it really?

Naartjie · 11/01/2008 08:06

You poor thing- I know how you feel. I was in agony for 3 weeks after giving birth. Did you have ventouse or salad tongs? It may be bruised.

People have given you lots of tips here (none of which I knew about!). All I used was cocodamol at first, and then paracetemol. I found propping myself up on pillows (with a gap in the right places underneath) a little helpful. Also lying down was always more comfortable than sitting.

JimLen · 11/01/2008 10:12

A jug of cold, mildly soapy water, flush it all over the area, then squirt a large squirt of Betadine all over it. Lie with legs up and let it dry out thoroughly (use a hairdryer if need be - on cold temp). Keep it dry, don't keep bathing. This is the cleanest and quickest way of recovery, I did this both times with my two DS's and was up and at 'em within 3-4 days! Ibuprofen helps aswell and drink arnica drops in water for the bruising (inside and out). Hope you're feeling better soon.