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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Bruising as opposed to tearing

46 replies

rubles · 17/05/2005 20:43

I am just interested to find out, because it is something that I have never heard mentioned, whether anyone out there has been like me and bruised VERY badly but only had a minor tear. Prior to my dd's birth I had been concerned about tearing but I never gave a second thought to bruising. (My midwife said I was absolutely black and blue 'down there' after my dds birth.) As a result of it I suffered in the same way that people with tears/episiotomies do. Or worse actually.

I'd like to know how common this is, and also if there is anything that I can do next time to try and avoid it....I think my second stage was about 1.5 hours, so I don't know if that was a factor...

OP posts:
Pruni · 17/05/2005 20:46

Message withdrawn

moondog · 17/05/2005 20:49

The bruise thing surprised me too. My m/w told me first time round that I had a huge bruise extending across both inner thighs. I took her word for it-too terrified to look at,let alone touch any part of me between belly button and knees for weeks!

The constant dull ache was hard to bear. She told me to take arnica for it.

Had an episiotomy both times as well.

Bozza · 17/05/2005 20:53

With DS had episiotomy and remember the midwife on a home visit a few days later saying that I was too badly bruised and swollen for her to be able to check my stitches. She couldn't actually see the stitches because of the swelling. And that is a constant ache that makes it hard to sit down.

Bruised with DD and had a graze but no stitches and the bruising was much less severe.

Lonelymum · 17/05/2005 20:55

My first baby, I had an episiotomy and bruising that covered my entire bottom. It was the most spectacular bruising and so extensive; I will never forget seeing it for the first time. I was also recommended arnica, but I remember I couldn't sit comfortably for about a week. My parents bought me a rubber ring to sit on which was an improvement.

hellomama · 17/05/2005 20:56

I had a second degree tear (fairly nasty) and i was bruised too. When I got home from the hospital and had my first bath - I looked down and my whole 'bits' were swollen and black and blue. I was really surprised. It took quite a while fo rthem to go back to normal colour!

Hausfrau · 17/05/2005 20:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lonelymum · 17/05/2005 20:59

Hausfrau, that reminds me: whilst I was still in hospital, the M/W gave me a sort of ice pack in a sausage shape to wear inside my pants. All I can say is, i found it rather disconcerting as it felt like I had a poo in my pants! I expect it helped with the swelling though.

Nemo1977 · 17/05/2005 20:59

i bruised badly but took arnica tablets..worked a treat. I had a very quick labour and 9lb 1 baby so would rahter have bruised than torn..lol

Pruni · 17/05/2005 21:00

Message withdrawn

Original poster
rubles · 17/05/2005 21:03

I never actually looked directly, but I could tell just from the general profile that it was swollen and that made me very squeamish.

The worst thing for me was that for about 8 to 10 days afterwards my toilet routine was a fairly elaborate process, and there was no question of just 'nipping to the loo'..I'd be gone for hours!

It seems from your comment Pruni that it is not necessarily related to size of baby/length of time pushing. I had wondered if next time maybe i should hold off on the pushing.

OP posts:
moondog · 17/05/2005 21:03

..'general profile' lol!

Lonelymum · 17/05/2005 21:06

Who else thinks that doing the first poo after giving birth is one of the hidden horrors never spoken of by women who have had children?

Pruni · 17/05/2005 21:08

Message withdrawn

moondog · 17/05/2005 21:09

lonelymum,us Celtic lovelies prefer to maintain an air of dignity and mystery....

but beJeezuz you are right!!!!!!!!

moondog · 17/05/2005 21:10

Oh,never got all that pant/push/dont push/rest/breath stuff. As far as I can recall, I just thrashed like a trout.

Lonelymum · 17/05/2005 21:11

Do we? I am a Celtic lovely too you know.

fastasleep · 17/05/2005 21:12

Mine was absolutely disgusting looking and I thought something horrendous had happened! I tore a bit (probably because it was so quick) but I crossed my legs and refused to have stitches so endured weeks of stinging pain (duh!).... the bruising was really awful... I thought I'd never go back to normal! I cried when I went to the loo for about 3 weeks. No one mentioned bruising to me either, then again no one really mentioned tearing - I only read it in a book...

fastasleep · 17/05/2005 21:13

I don't remember the poo because from about 3 months onwards I get the worst constipation ever....I think pooing was more like giving birth than actually giving birth was sometimes!!

Bozza · 17/05/2005 21:13

Yes lonelymum. Was awful with DS and with DD it actually took me longer and caused more pain than it did to give birth. Obviously this is because I had an easy birth second time round. Also because it reactivated my piles it was actually more painful afterwards and harder to sit down.

moondog · 17/05/2005 21:13

Well,you're letting the side down then, lm!

Lonelymum · 17/05/2005 21:15

Oi MD don't patronise me!

I know all about the constipation too. I used to get off a session on the loo whenI was pg and say to dh "I have just had a practice at pushing the baby out!"

Sorry Moondog if this offends your sensibilities. Perhaps the Cornish Celtics are more earthy than their Welsh cousins!

fastasleep · 17/05/2005 21:17

I remember my DH got very worried when I was on the loo for a total of 3 hours and I was panting and moaning and all that (he almost called the hospital till I told him to b*er off!)... and then I (oh the shaaaame) managed to block the loo!!

fastasleep · 17/05/2005 21:19

(I'm not celtic I have no qualms when it comes to talking about my rear end and it's output!! )

fastasleep · 17/05/2005 21:19

Can't type though.

Lonelymum · 17/05/2005 21:20

I don't think I could have sat on the loo for three hours. After about 20 minutes, my leg used to go to sleep in a painful sort of way.

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