Heavy feeling down below

[febbabies2023]

Gave birth 12 days ago and although I was sore I didn't feel heavy as such

Last couple of days I've felt very heavy down below like my insides are going to fall out and it's slightly uncomfortable
I have no idea what I'm looking for when looking in a mirror, but it does still look a little swollen and not back to normal yet (I had an episiotomy so I'm not surprised)

My first was a c section so I have no experience with vaginal births until this one

Is this just normal healing process? How long is normal before this heavy feeling goes away? Pelvic floor exercises are tricky at the moment with still being quite sore anyway

TIA

It might be a prolapse, that causes a feeling like everything is falling out. I’d prob wait till you’ve healed up a bit more then ask your gp for advice.

Congratulations on your baby also :)

@GoldenGorilla this is what I was worried about! I'm only bloody 28, how annoying!
And thank you :)

I had this for a few days within the postnatal period with both DC - it went away on its own. I was also terrified I had a prolapse but I think sometimes it's just a feeling that comes with the major trauma that the whole area experiences during childbirth. Hopefully it's the same for you, but maybe see if it lasts another week or so and then get it checked out if needed. 🤞🏻

@JadeTC thanks for your reply! I see the midwife next Wednesday for discharge so if it carries on until then I'll ask her to have a look for me :) thank you

I had this too OP for a month or 2 and was convinced I had a prolapse but it wasn’t. it got a lot better and now 4 months pp is barely noticeable. Fingers crossed same for you.

Hi op I had this after all my vaginal births aswell, it went away after few months it can be normal so don't worry. No harm in doing pelvic floors anyways.

@GreenIsle @PretzelBite thank you both! I'm really hoping it's not a prolapse. I've been quite active pp this time and spent a lot more time walking and up on my feet so maybe I need to take it a little easier
(As much as you can with a newborn and a toddler!)

Yeah try not to carry the toddler or heavy things, try not to do too much walking - easier said than done I know!
but you are young and assuming you’re in good overall health it’s more likely to just be normal recovery than a prolapse. So I’d prob give it 8 weeks or so and then if it’s still an issue ask for advice.

@febbabies2023 that was me last time even though I felt well I don't too much to quick. I just had baby number 3 last week so Im relaxing much more and so far no heavy feeling.

I'm 5.5 weeks pp and had a forceps delivery with episiotomy and the same feeling and worries as you. I've been doing my pelvic floors using the Squeezy app and feel so much better now - not back to how it felt before birth but so much better than the first 3 weeks or so! I'm sure you'll be the same

I had retained membranes that had stuck to my c section scar and caused a small womb infection. Dragging, heavy sensation.
Are you still under the care of the midwifery team? You could give them a call

It’s very early so will probably all go back but if you don’t feel it’s as it should be after you’re discharged, regardless of what you’re told, listen to your own body. If I could go back in time after DC1 I’d have just made an appointment with a consultant gynaecologist. £200 is money well spent for peace of mind.

I knew something was amiss after DC1; I saw a few doctors and midwives who all said everything was fine and reassured me vaginas take a while to go back to normal. They did the same after DC2 but I was sure the feeling couldn’t be right. I didn’t wet myself and neither DH or I could see anything but I had a heavy fullness that came and went.

When DC1 was four and DC2 was six months old I asked about friends until I eventually saw saw an older GP who specialised in women’s health. She examined me standing up with my foot on a stool, which no one else had ever done; I had a cystocele (urethral prolapse). Went private to discuss surgery. Consultant was unimpressed it had taken repeated trips to the doctor to get a diagnosis and said that a second vaginal labour shouldn’t have been allowed. I felt really dense for not being more insistent on my own behalf after DC1, but I just accepted what I was told.

He also said age and fitness isn’t hugely relevant to whether or not you’ll prolapse during birth, it’s all down to how your body’s connective tissues respond to intense pressure; some unlucky people just tear. I am/was fit and was 27 and 31 when giving birth, I have really good pelvic tone (ironically) and had hassle-free births with no interventions either time (though did have a fair amount of perineal damage with both kids).

On the positive side even if it is a prolapse it can often be managed with physio and without surgical intervention, sexual pleasure isn’t necessarily disrupted and there are a lot of exercises which help strengthen your pelvic floor and alleviate any symptoms - PPs have mentioned Squeezy, also pelvic exercisers have worked well for me (once you’re cleared to use them).

It’s very early days though so I am hoping it’s just a matter of time for you til it’s all good again, rest lots and don’t run about too much - I know it’s hard but don’t lift your toddler if you can avoid it, as other PPs have said; millions of women have the same symptoms and are 100% fine in the end. Congratulations on the new LO!