Two weeks ago I had a really traumatic forceps birth, episiotomy, 3rd degree tear and post partum haemorrhage. I'm really struggling with the recovery. The episiotomy is a little sore still, and feels irritated if I do a lot. I was quite constipated post birth, and dutifully took the lactulose but then I didn't make it to the toilet in time. This distressed me a lot. I've stopped the lactulose and been trying to do pelvic floor exercises to avoid this happening again, but I think I've over done them/doing them wrong as I feel like I tense my vulva as part of it, and now that hurts too. Since I stopped taking the lactulose, I've been a bit constipated again and strained a little more than I probably should have last night. I'm now quite sore, and I have a swollen feeling in my bottom (which I had before the straining, tbh) which I've convinced myself is a rectal prolapse, though I can't see anything when I look other than piles, which I'm putting cream on. Don't know if the swollen feeling might be internal piles?
I'm terrified my stitches are coming undone. I rang maternity triage and they said everything sounds normal, and just to rest. My community midwife is coming out to me next week, so they said get her to check my stitches. (They said if I'm still worrying before then to ring back and they'll check me over). I'm just so scared and so worried, I really thought I'd feel back to normal by now and I really don't. I'm so uncomfortable, not in too much pain, just uncomfortable and nothing feels right. I cry all the time. I just want to feel back to normal. Anyone experienced anything similar/had a 3rd degree tear have any advice or reassurance? Thanks