Cervix after childbirth and swelling - way, way TMI

[downtherequestion]

For reasons which shall become obvious, I have name changed for this because a fair few people know me in real life...

I had DD (my first child) a fortnight ago. It was a long labour, ending in forceps and an epi. Although the stiches are healing well, everything feels rather tight in that area, which I am told is normal.

However, I have two other questions which I chickened out of asking the midwife at the last visit and don't want to wait until next week, so I was hoping from some MN wisdom.

Firstly, the area around my clitoris seems to be swollen and sensitive. Hurts when I sneeze or cough, etc. A bit like my stiches felt initially. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this?

Secondly, when I was checking the swelling generally I, ahem, checked inside and my cervix still seems to be very low and open, to the extent that I don't seem to have much vagina anymore (OMG, I can't believe I'm typing this). Please someone tell me that this is normal and it goes back to its normal place eventually, or my love life has disappeared forever!

A fortnight ago only? I was so sore and swollen for weeks that I didn't dare even put my hand down there let alone in my fanjo (and I didn't have any interventions). So, sorry I can't answer your specific question but I just wanted to stress that 2 weeks ago is nothing. You're going to see improvements in pain and swelling for ages.

However, I wouldn't hesitate to ask your midwife. I did and she had a quick look and it was very reassuring.

I seem to remember my cervix feeling like this too .

I would mention it to MW though.

Congratulations!

I seem to remember my cervix feeling like this too .

I would mention it to MW though.

Congratulations!

Thanks guys. I'm going to mention it to the MW tomorrow, but you've kept me calm in the meantime!

Hi there, In response to your first question i felt like that for a few weeks. In response to your second question i cant help because i am wanting to know the same thing, my baby is over a year old and my "down there" still feels the same as you described. Good luck

Absolutely normal.

I had 4 1/2 hours of pushing, ending with episiotomy, forceps and an enormous tear - up the entire right wall of my vagina.

The swelling was horrific. My labia looked like bagel halves. My clitoris and labia were so tender I put cotton wool in my pants to cushion them. This lasted about 9 weeks. A very good cream to apply is Traumeel. Gel or gream. It's a homeopathic preparation, by the Heel company, for bruises, swelling, strains etc. Also good if you have haemorrhoids left.

As for the cervix hanging low, normal as well, for that kind of delivery. Sorry to be blunt but your pelvic floor is essentially shot right now and your uterus is still heavier than before so everything is hanging down - the lovely effects of gravity! By 6 wks post-partum, your cervix should be closed and will look like a smiley mouth rather than the tiny circle it was. And as your pelvic floor recovers, your cervix will pull up again. 12 weeks post-partum my cervix was about 5 cm from my vaginal opening. DS is 15 months now and it feels like it's closer to where it used to be. Mind you, I had untold complication and had to have corrective surgery on the scar in my vagina... but that didn't affect where my cervix was. Remember also that if you're breast feeding, your ligaments all over your body (that includes the uterine ligaments and pelvic floor) will still be floppy for as long as you breast feed and six months beyond.

Good luck and congratulations!

That should read "Traumeel gel or cream". Don't know what "gream" is but it sounds a bit dodgy...

Oh and if you think this is TMI (trust me, it wasn't!) you should come visit us on the Ragged Bits thread .