2 weeks postpartum. Should I be in this much pain?

[3rddegreee]

Had a 3rd degree tear. Felt relatively ok down there for first 10 days. Last couple of days have been pure hell, particularly when I stand up for any length of time.

I have spoken to my midwife, had swab taken/stitches checked a 111 emergency Drs appointment to check for infection but every single time i’ve been told this is normal, no infection, it takes time, take painkillers etc.

When does it start getting less painful?

I’m taking paracetamol, ibuprofen and dihydrocodeinone as often as is allowed. Nothing touches it.

Congratulations on your new arrival!

I just wanted to sympathise. With DD1 I had a trial of forceps in theatre and a large episiotomy. When I got home I was sore but after about ten days I was in a new level of pain. Could hardly sit or climb the stairs. Swabs etc came back clear. The Dr gave me naproxen to take with the strongest cocodamol alternating every two hours. I also used arnica tablets and frozen pads with witch hazel on them. Apparently the pain was bruising and swelling around the stitches. It was hellish for about five days afterwards. Then gradually got better until I literally woke up one day perfectly fine.

Do not accept drs or midwives telling you it's normal and to put up with it. When else in life would you be expected to just be in constant pain?! Ask for stronger pain killers and make sure you are religious taking them.

Good luck! I promise it gets better quickly. I remember standing in my kitchen crying with pain and exhaustion wondering what on earth I was going to do but a few days later I was over the worst of it.

I was told the pain should change and become more manageable after a couple of weeks but it didn't for me and my health visitor was definitely concerned that something was wrong when it still hurt at 6 weeks. I agree with PP to keep going to the doctor, it took ages to see a gynecologist to confirm the episiotomy wasn't healing properly.

Have you managed to have a look yourself?

It was 8 weeks before I felt vaguely normal again.
It was worse when I stood up also.
My stitches etc healed just fine, for me it was more like internal bruising/grazing. The pain was inside rather than external.
If there is no infection then just keep and eye on it for a bit longer and see someone if it gets worse.

When did the midwife last check your stitches? Is it worth asking for an obstetric doctor to check them the complexity of the tear, as midwives don't stitch third degree tears themselves?

I only had an episiotomy both times but both times some of the stitches came away early so like you I felt better and then when that happened it got more painful. With DC2 it was the worst, I ended up going on dihydrocodeine like you, I was also given 3 rounds of antibiotics because I did have a low grade fever at one point and they didn't know why the healing was going so slow. Developed a super painful cyst as well that needed incising & draining. Was literally in and out of the hospital about 5 times in 4 weeks - by which time I was finally healed!

Also if youve become more physically active in the last few days, that could be causing the pain increase. I found that both times once I started walking more etc it did worsen pain a bit in my pelvic floor area, so take it easy and try to build up your activity levels very closely.