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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Mum's who can remember/ have recently had a vaginal birth without pain relief

69 replies

EntropyReversed · 13/01/2021 20:58

I'm due my third in the next few weeks, but my other two are 13 and 11 now so it's been a while.

Any suggestions on what I can do about the pain immediately after birth?
I didn't have any pain relief with my last baby and don't plan to this time either.
But I remember from last time that the vaginal pain was pretty extreme immediately after and I couldn't enjoy new baby at all because it hurt so much.
Not sure if there's anything I can do about this?

OP posts:
Xyzzzzz · 13/01/2021 22:04

No pain relief due to the quick labour and birth. I had gas and air when getting stitched up (as I was cut).

Persianparadise · 13/01/2021 22:07

My second was born in 20 min, that was my full labour included. Never had time for pain relief. But I can remember a pressure in my bottom after she came out. I actually thought another Baby was coming out my arse lol.

CalmDownBoris72 · 13/01/2021 22:10

Paracetamol, ibuprofen and arnica.

My midwife gave me one PR diclofenac to use for after pains when she left (gave birth at home) and it was brilliant apart from having to insert it!

SoDiorDarling · 13/01/2021 22:13

Painkillers, I actually got my grandma to steal my grandads bad ass super strength ones and pretty sure I was addicted for 2 weeks Grinmy DP had to wean me off of them.

Ancientdecs · 13/01/2021 22:13

Yes, I know the pain you're talking about. I almost wouldn't let them check me down there after dc2 was out, I just couldn't bear it! I was shaking all over.

With dc3, the MW pressed me to have G&A while being checked after the baby out (didn't have any during my labours as I'd tried it and felt sick during dc1's labour). And that was a real 'duh' moment - it helped so much!

Also YES to a suppository, I had that too afterwards. Ask for one if they don't offer.

The afterpains aren't great after a third birth I'm afraid but at least you know it's not labour pain and won't get progressively worse...

JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson · 13/01/2021 22:18

Of course there is something you can do about it. You can take painkillers. The midwife will be able to give you an ibuprofen suppository which will help with both pain and inflammation, then you can alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen. Keep a note of what you take and when - I found that I lost track easily in the haze of the first few days.

WhydoesItAlwaysRainMe · 13/01/2021 22:20

Paracetamol/ibuprofen throughout labour

happymummy12345 · 13/01/2021 22:32

That's the one thing I've always said and thought, especially when birth is shown on tv, I know it's mostly fiction but still, is that immediately after the person always seems completely fine straight away. They sit down with no problems and don't even mention or reference how it is afterwards.
I had stitches. I took a jug of warm water every time I went to the toilet, and sat on a soft pillow to start with. Apart from that I waited it out and did nothing.

SexyGiraffe · 13/01/2021 22:40

I put witch hazel on sanitary pads as i waddled around the hospital. It helped, I think.

3JsMa · 13/01/2021 22:50

My kids were exactly same age when I had my third.
No pain relief during labour but after pains(even though it's been a while since last labour) were really bad,I actually asked the midwife for pain relief and was given co-codamol.They were even more intense after 4th DC 3years later.

duckme · 13/01/2021 22:54

I've given birth three times and had stitches with the first and grazing with the second. Both of these births took place in bed.
My third birth, I was out of bed and squatting/standing and, I don't know if gravity helped or I was just lucky, but I had no issues whatsoever! I was all prepared for the pain the first time I went to the loo, but it was absolutely fine. I'm weird because I just loved the Labour/birth part of the process (I hated pregnancy) each time but the third birth, was honestly such an amazing experience.

Ruthietuthie · 13/01/2021 22:59

I had a really bad tear (right through to the anus - yikes!) and lots of stitching. The whole area was SO painful for a few weeks afterwards. I remember going to my son's first paediatrian visit, the day after we left the hospital, and being entirely unable to sit down in the waiting room.

I found tucks pads, a water spritz (for wee-ing), and holding a cold cloth against everything when I tried to poo (the terror!). And on that note, stool-softeners as well as pain-killers. Honestly, it was about 12 weeks before I felt less pain (and reconstructive surgery before everything was back in normal).

Sanitizerscomingtotown · 13/01/2021 22:59

Condom filled with crushed ice in the gusset of your pants

tsmainsqueeze · 13/01/2021 23:16

Hi i had a 3rd baby after 9 plus gap .
It was quite an easy birth , no pain relief , can't do gas and air , pethidine doesn't work so just went for it .
I remembered the after pains with number 2 baby , bit of a shock ! , so i was fully prepared and started taking ibuprofen , my painkiller of choice , within an hour of giving birth.
I took them regularly for aprox 3 days and controlled them well , no comparison to previous experience.
I also bathed every day with just tea tree and lavender oil ,worked really well with 2nd birth so did it anyway with 3rd .

StubbleTurnips · 13/01/2021 23:24

God that pain like your foof is on fire and you all your muscles have been mutiliated.

I had a water birth for child 2, so the first part was ok. Took paracetamol after and had a warm flannel constantly in my underwear. I was grazed / scratched on the way out so couldn’t pee for ages without sobbing - warm water jet helped that.

dottiedaisee · 13/01/2021 23:28

I didn’t have pain post birth apart from the uterus contracting...like period pain.

happymummy12345 · 14/01/2021 02:48

My labour was more long than anything else. I was due on the Sunday 30th august 2015, I was booked in for a sweep originally on the Wednesday, but I started having contractions on the Tuesday so I decided to see if things would progress naturally. They didn't so I ended up having a sweep at 3pm on the Friday (40+5).
I got to the hospital at 9 that evening, was in the birth centre by 10.30, had my waters broken around 2am, then gave birth at 6.58am the Saturday morning (40+6).
It didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable at all and it did help move things along (the head wasn't fully engaged so things wouldn't have progressed on their own).
If I’m honest I was more physically exhausted after 4 days and nights of contractions. I think if I hadn’t been so tired I would have dealt with it better.
For pain relief I had my tens machine as long as possible, it really helped me. I started using it at home after my sweep, then took it off to go to hospital. I put it back on when I was settled in the birth centre. I also used the birth ball to try to get my waters to break which helped with pain. The birth pool was amazing, I loved being in there and would have stayed in longer and even given birth in there. But the midwife could see I was struggling and needed to rest before I had to deliver. So I had a pethadine injection so I could rest. It really helped. It didn't make me feel sick or anything, I felt very relaxed.
I tried a bit of gas and air but it gave me a bad headache and made me feel sick so I didn’t want it. And I knew I didn’t want an epidural. I wanted as natural a birth as possible, minimal drugs.
I did tear from involuntary pushing and had stitches after. It wasn’t that bad though.
As I say for me personally it was more how long it went on than the pain. Good luck.

Tier500 · 14/01/2021 02:54

@IMissFrance

When the midwife was finished with my stitches she offered me a suppository painkiller.

That thing was the BEST!

I almost asked for another once it was wearing off but didn't want someone at my parts again.

But I'm sure she said it was 8 hours relief down there!

I got this - it was great! Took a few paracetamol for tender stitches (second degree tear) once I was home but really recovered very quickly.
Ginfilledcats · 14/01/2021 03:21

I had a suppository and didn't feel any pain for like 24-48 hours later. Then managed on paracetamol

Hodgeheg92 · 14/01/2021 05:54

Echoing pps - the suppository pain relief was amazing! Didn't know about it with #1, recovery was tough, midwife offered with #2 and it was great. 2nd degree tear with both and I also alternated ibuprofen and paracetamol for a couple of days. 2nd time around I was also very liberal with the spritz for bitz, whereas first time the thought of spraying anything there was too much.

honkifyourtired · 14/01/2021 07:50

With my first I had an episiotomy and the pain for around 2 weeks after was unbearable. Paracetamol/ibuprofen and plenty of shallow baths with, witch hazel, lavender and tea tree oil were the only thing that helped. Then laying in the bed letting the area air dry. Also frozen pads with witch hazel on helped hugely. Although I will say with my second the fantastic midwives did a fabulous job of delivery and the experience after was completely different. I felt completely normal after an hour! Good luck!

Original poster
EntropyReversed · 14/01/2021 11:37

Thanks everyone.

I guess it must be quite rare as only a couple of people have had the same problem.

I'm talking about literally seconds after birth, which then carries on.. it's like a super intense stinging pain, which I found impossible to ignore, to the point I wasn't interested in the new baby, I just wanted the pain to stop Sad

OP posts:
JohnMiddleNameRedactedSwanson · 14/01/2021 11:41

I would suggest mentioning it in your birth notes and briefing your partner so that you can be offered gas and air, then.

BertieBotts · 14/01/2021 11:43

I had my second in Germany, the midwives prepared this AMAZING mixture which was I think calendula, arnica and witch hazel, spread it on maternity pads and kept them in the freezer. They would then apply this directly to your bits as soon as you'd given birth (if no stitches needed) and there were mini fridges with more of them in every room, so you could get new ones every couple of hours.

Brilliant and very helpful.

TheDukeAndI · 14/01/2021 12:24

@EntropyReversed did you have any pain relief in labour? I only had gas & air (so no paracetamol etc) & then no g&a for pushing so I’m wondering if the pain I felt straight away (from tearing I assume?).

I think I may ask my midwife actually as I’m 31 weeks & a little worried about it again. I remember saying “I thought the pain would stop” as it was really stinging. It’s funny you brought this up as I was only thinking about it the other day. Once the local was given, the stinging went.

Hoping for a water birth this time though so that may help!