Any medics about? Strange pains following childbirth

[lurcherlover]

I am going to phone the doctor first thing, but as I'm going to be up for the next few hours with DS thought I'd ask on here if anyone has any ideas about this...

DS is a week old - he had shoulder dystocia so it was a traumatic labour. I ended up with a second degree tear and lost 500ml of blood. I have been healing well (mw checked stitches on Sun and said they're coming together nicely) but yesterday I started feeling itchy down below. Mw said it's probably the stitches tightening, but it feels more "inside" than that - like thrush would. Then today I have been having strong griping pains in my bowel all day - the pain is slightly relieved on passing wind or having a no2 so I assumed it was just trapped wind or something. But now I'm getting a strong dragging pain in my bladder every time I have a wee. What bothers me is I have endometriosis and this bladder/bowel pain is exactly the same pain I get with my period as a result of the endo. Now I'm assuming one week postpartum is way too early for my period to be putting in an appearance, so is this pain just a coincidence or could it indicate an infection? My blood loss doesn't smell and I don't feel unwell in myself, it's just these pains bothering me (as well as the itching).

Also, who should I phone in the morning for advice? My GP or the labour ward to speak to a midwife? Thanks.

hi. work for NHS24 and also have endo

could be a few things, most worryingly would be an infection. it wouldn't be ridiculous to get help tonight vis NHS Direct/24 as infection after childbirth can be nasty. you could have a UTI, which is common after childbirth, especially if catheterised after labour.

you could also call the labour ward and they would advise you whether it's worthy of getting assistance tonight. failing that, GO in the morning missus.

GO is of course GP

I had a similar experience.

2nd degree tear, lost same amount of blood as you.

Sadly, I did get an infection which was painful, uncomfortable and it hurt when I pooed, sat down or did anything.

Midwife got me anti-biotics (which I later learned weren't very strong). I went to see 3 different GPs over a range of 3 months before any of them would accept that my infection wasn't just "normal after childbirth."

3rd GP I saw was 3 months after DS was born and he acknowledged that pain had gone on too long, plus my wound had healed then the scar reopened due to the infection :(

I was referred to gyne for minor surgery to burn the bad scar tissue off but by some sort of miracle it healed at 5 months post-partum.

Basically, I told you all that not to scare you, but to show a bad experience.

I had instincts that something was wrong, but wasn't strong enough to speak loudly to the HCPs.

Hope you heal up soon and get the help you need.

Congrats on your baby, by the way :)

Thanks for your messages ladies. I went to the GP today and he reckons it's a UTI - they catheterised me in labour so it could have been triggered by that. I've got antibiotics and will see how it goes...hope they work as the pain today has been like being in labour again!! Just when I was starting to feel human too

better a UTI than womb infection. you can take paracetamol and ibuprofen together safely while breastfeeding... stagger them for maximum pain relief. cranberry tablets are great for UTIs also. lots of water will help flush it out. avoid sugar also. you should feel better in the next 48hrs x