3 weeks post partum with achey abdomen/womb

[PiggyMad]

I gave birth 3 weeks ago and ended up with a 3rd degree tear so was drugged up for the first week or so and didnt notice any afterpains (apart from a couple of nasty ones immediately after birth before the spinal was given to stitch me up!). The past couple of days my abdomen area/womb has sort of a dull ache, like weak menstrual pains. Is this normal? Everything I read online says pain after a few days could indicate infection. Feel like I've been constantly back and forth to the doctors so don't really want to go again unless necessary.

I am still bleeding, but the blood is more of a pinky/browny colour and is lessening. I'm breastfeeding, but feeding doesn't seem to influence the pain and I'm currently on antibiotics for suspected infected stitches.

Feeling very sorry for myself at the minute as I started to feel a lot better after 2 weeks, but seem to have regressed and am feeling a lot more sore and throbby in the perineum area and this new dull ache is worrying me. I just want my body back

I had a uterine infection after dc. Please go and get it checked out - it will make you feel dreadful if left unchecked - pain and fever. A course of ABs can clear it up quickly.

Hope you feel better soon - you do sound as though you have been through the mill .

I took a sample with me to the docs on Friday but forgot to get them to check it! I'll try to get a nurse appt tomorrow to get them to check for a uti, thanks eggy.
I hadn't banked on feeling so rotten after giving birth!

Agree could be an infection (ESP if you are feeling fluey). However stitches can ache/feel sore and tight as they mend - it is odd as it tends to be after initial numbness and pain killers wear off.
You do get back to normal but it can take a few months

Is this a second baby? I had really bad after pains for about three weeks with second baby. I think it's because the womb has to work a bit harder to contract back down. Ibuprofen worked a treat!

scarlett It's my first and had read that most women with first babies don't feel anything! Lucky me! Will top up on the painkillers and take urine to the docs.
gigondas I did wonder if the undercarriage soreness was maybe the stitches healing as it is a bit itchy/tight down there.

That does sound exactly like stitches healing - and it felt tight for months (don't notice it years later tho).