How long did it take you to heal?

LaciLeigh · October 2010

I just had my LO on Thursday morning. It was an amazingly easy and fast birth which was so unexpected! She came at 37w4d. Anyways, I only had a 1st degree tear with I think they said only 2 stiches needed.

How long did it take you to heal vaginally? The area is still so super sore. Also how long did it take for you to have bowel movement? I am really afraid to even try to go, because I know I am constipated yuck.

melrrr · October 2010

I honestly can't remember, but prunes, prunes, prunes. Couldn't have survived pregnancy and post partum without them!

brideonjuly8 · October 2010

Definitely start taking a stool softener, you really don't want to strain having had your baby only a few days ago. I remember my stitches getting worse before it got better. Around 5-7 days was the worst, then it got much better. Drink tons of water, and Colace is your friend. You might even need a light laxative if nothing happens in a few days. Didn't they give you one in the hospital?

LaciLeigh · October 2010

brideonjuly8:
Definitely start taking a stool softener, you really don't want to strain having had your baby only a few days ago. I remember my stitches getting worse before it got better. Around 5-7 days was the worst, then it got much better. Drink tons of water, and Colace is your friend. You might even need a light laxative if nothing happens in a few days. Didn't they give you one in the hospital?

The nurses "forgot" to give me a stool softener untli the last day I was in the hospital So I just started it yesterday and thru today, Colace. I have been taking the max 3 a day and drinking water. I think I may try the prunes then the laxative. I am such a paranoid freak about constipation

Yikes about the healing!! I went and got some tucks pads to help cool the area too.

SigmundsGirl · October 2010

I had 20 stitches, so it took me about a month before I felt better and didn't walk like I had been kicked in the crotch. I used the peri bottle at every shower and when I went to the restroom. I used Tucks pads and Dermoplast like they were going outta style.

Stool softener was good and I didn't eat a lot of food that was too high in fiber.

cali_girl92504 · October 2010

I didn't have any tears and it was probably a good two weeks before I wasn't super sore. I had a BM before leaving the hospital and it wasn't so bad but again I didn't tear. I didn't suffer from constipation during pregnancy or after so if they gave me a stool softner, I didn't know.

I used the spray they gave me until it ran out and loved it. And of course the peri bottle. I wish they would have given me more of those ice pads to take home. Those were awesome.

alliwalton · October 2010

I had a c sec, but was given a stool softner and laxative and on the second pp day, I was going without ANY straining. I was also not allowed to take my prenatal vitamins for a few days, because she did not want that to cause me any more constipation. I also took gas drops 4 times a day, just the infant kind.

KelleyA · October 2010

DD#1 4-5 weeks before I could sit without pain and all of sudden I felt good.

DD#2 I felt great, seriously GREAT about 4-5 DAYS after having her. I attribute it to using epi foam, dermoplast and tucks pads. Nobody told me how to use them after having DD#1 so I suffered. I had a fantastic nurse who told me to lay the tucks pads in the feminine pad like they were salami (slightly overlapped), spray the epi foam on them then spray it down with dermoplast and spray myself with the dermoplast and put it on. It felt SO good and I recovered faster.

houstonkdw · October 2010

#1 - I had 2 stiches as well but I was so sore. It took about 3-4 weeks before I could feel normal and sit for a long period of time.

#2 - Instantly. I felt great 30 minutes after giving birth.

mrs.littlejeans · October 2010

With #1, it took quite a while...probably about five weeks before the soreness went away. They load you up at Woman's, so I used the witch hazel pads, Dermaplast, Epifoam, peri bottle until I ran out. I also used Colace daily for about a week, I think.

With #2, it only took about a week - thankfully.

Mrs.Woods · October 2010

With DS #1 had an episiotomy and had no pain, didn't even take a pain pill but the first bm was horrible and happened a few days after we were home. I know I took a stool softner at the hospital, but I didn't continue at home and paid for it.

DS #2 they let me tear and I only had a few stiches but it took forever to not feel so sore. I had to sit with a lean for about two weeks. I had both of our bathrooms fully stocked with peri bottle, dermaplast and tucks pads. BM that time around was in the hospital the day I left and was totally normal with no pain.

I hope that you feel better soon.

step2mom2010 · October 2010

I was feeling much better about 7 days out. I agree with everyone on the tucks pads, dermaplast, epifoam, and peri bottle. I also had a a bucket you put under the toilet seat. You fill a bag with warm water, and then sit in the bucket and pour this warm water in it, and get to sit there for 15 minutes. IT WAS GREAT! Sitz Bath? I think is what it was called.

I also took Meralax throughout my pregnancy and afterwards till everything started working correctly. My biggest problem was about 2 weeks afterwards. Looking back I should have continued that stuff for 4 weeks.

Cajun_gal · October 2010

I was too afraid to ask how many stitches I had. It seemed like it took forever for her to stitch me up. I had a couple of 2nd degree tears, and it was a painful recovery. It seems like it was a couple of weeks when I felt like I was walking more normally and by a month, I was feeling back to normal. I took Colace like crazy and was so scared to go as well. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be, and the Colace helped a lot. I also put Tucks pads in the fridge and lined my pads with those. That helped a ton. Hope you feel better soon!

melissa0312 · October 2010

i had 2 2nd degree tears. i had no problems with bm's (actually went twice the next day), but i was unbelievable sore for about a week.

the first time with dh after i was cleared brought me to tears. it took a while to heal completely....

erica_kaspar · October 2010

I would say it took me about a week to heal. I had a 2nd degree tear but for some reason it really wasn't that bad once I got home (3 days later) I remember using lots of dermplast and the peri bottle what sucked for me is when the stitches were healing. I wanted to die because of the itchiness. That was about 1-2 weeks after. The first days were horrible for me but once I got home I didn't even need the pain killers.

Katieraye09 · October 2010

KelleyA:

DD#1 4-5 weeks before I could sit without pain and all of sudden I felt good.

DD#2 I felt great, seriously GREAT about 4-5 DAYS after having her. I attribute it to using epi foam, dermoplast and tucks pads. Nobody told me how to use them after having DD#1 so I suffered. I had a fantastic nurse who told me to lay the tucks pads in the feminine pad like they were salami (slightly overlapped), spray the epi foam on them then spray it down with dermoplast and spray myself with the dermoplast and put it on. It felt SO good and I recovered faster.

Do this!!! That's what my nurse taught me and it worked wonders! I would say it was about 7-10 days before I didn't feel anything but I know for a fact that without the above combination I would have been much worse off. Good luck!

Cajun_gal · October 2010

katieraye04:
KelleyA:

DD#1 4-5 weeks before I could sit without pain and all of sudden I felt good.

DD#2 I felt great, seriously GREAT about 4-5 DAYS after having her. I attribute it to using epi foam, dermoplast and tucks pads. Nobody told me how to use them after having DD#1 so I suffered. I had a fantastic nurse who told me to lay the tucks pads in the feminine pad like they were salami (slightly overlapped), spray the epi foam on them then spray it down with dermoplast and spray myself with the dermoplast and put it on. It felt SO good and I recovered faster.

Do this!!! That's what my nurse taught me and it worked wonders! I would say it was about 7-10 days before I didn't feel anything but I know for a fact that without the above combination I would have been much worse off. Good luck!

What's epi foam?

KelleyA · October 2010

Cajun_gal:
katieraye04:
KelleyA:

DD#1 4-5 weeks before I could sit without pain and all of sudden I felt good.
DD#2 I felt great, seriously GREAT about 4-5 DAYS after having her. I attribute it to using epi foam, dermoplast and tucks pads. Nobody told me how to use them after having DD#1 so I suffered. I had a fantastic nurse who told me to lay the tucks pads in the feminine pad like they were salami (slightly overlapped), spray the epi foam on them then spray it down with dermoplast and spray myself with the dermoplast and put it on. It felt SO good and I recovered faster.
Do this!!! That's what my nurse taught me and it worked wonders! I would say it was about 7-10 days before I didn't feel anything but I know for a fact that without the above combination I would have been much worse off. Good luck!
What's epi foam?

They gave it to me at the hospital, but I'm betting if you ask your OB about it they'll give it to you or tell you how to get it.

I delivered both babies at the same hospital and was never given any of those things...no tucks, colace, epi foam, dermaplast, etc. Thankfully I had the most awesome nurse the second time to teach me and it made a world of a difference in my postpartum recovery.

michellebelle · October 2010

I had a large baby - 10 lb 5.4 oz. multiple 3rd degree tears. And the doctor said nearly 4th degree. I didn't want to know what that meant.

I returned to work when DD was 8.5 weeks old. It was another month or so after that before I could sit to go to the bathroom, especially to poop.

What a great post - excellent birth control for me. :-

LaciLeigh · October 2010

Thank you ladies!! I actually was able to finally go to the restroom yesterday but ever since my stich area has been really painful. So I guess I still have a few more weeks of healing!

cali_girl92504 · October 2010

KelleyA:
Cajun_gal:
katieraye04:
KelleyA:

DD#1 4-5 weeks before I could sit without pain and all of sudden I felt good.
DD#2 I felt great, seriously GREAT about 4-5 DAYS after having her. I attribute it to using epi foam, dermoplast and tucks pads. Nobody told me how to use them after having DD#1 so I suffered. I had a fantastic nurse who told me to lay the tucks pads in the feminine pad like they were salami (slightly overlapped), spray the epi foam on them then spray it down with dermoplast and spray myself with the dermoplast and put it on. It felt SO good and I recovered faster.
Do this!!! That's what my nurse taught me and it worked wonders! I would say it was about 7-10 days before I didn't feel anything but I know for a fact that without the above combination I would have been much worse off. Good luck!
What's epi foam?
They gave it to me at the hospital, but I'm betting if you ask your OB about it they'll give it to you or tell you how to get it.
I delivered both babies at the same hospital and was never given any of those things...no tucks, colace, epi foam, dermaplast, etc. Thankfully I had the most awesome nurse the second time to teach me and it made a world of a difference in my postpartum recovery.

I think we had the same nurse- that's exactly how she showed me to do it. Did her name start with a V? If not then they must all show the same method now.

KelleyA · October 2010

cali_girl92504:
KelleyA:
Cajun_gal:
katieraye04:
KelleyA:

DD#1 4-5 weeks before I could sit without pain and all of sudden I felt good.
DD#2 I felt great, seriously GREAT about 4-5 DAYS after having her. I attribute it to using epi foam, dermoplast and tucks pads. Nobody told me how to use them after having DD#1 so I suffered. I had a fantastic nurse who told me to lay the tucks pads in the feminine pad like they were salami (slightly overlapped), spray the epi foam on them then spray it down with dermoplast and spray myself with the dermoplast and put it on. It felt SO good and I recovered faster.
Do this!!! That's what my nurse taught me and it worked wonders! I would say it was about 7-10 days before I didn't feel anything but I know for a fact that without the above combination I would have been much worse off. Good luck!
What's epi foam?
They gave it to me at the hospital, but I'm betting if you ask your OB about it they'll give it to you or tell you how to get it.
I delivered both babies at the same hospital and was never given any of those things...no tucks, colace, epi foam, dermaplast, etc. Thankfully I had the most awesome nurse the second time to teach me and it made a world of a difference in my postpartum recovery.
I think we had the same nurse- that's exactly how she showed me to do it. Did her name start with a V? If not then they must all show the same method now.

YES!!! She rocks doesn't she? She got down on the floor in the bathroom and laid it all out and showed me. She is my hero!

brideonjuly8 · October 2010

KelleyA:
cali_girl92504:
KelleyA:
Cajun_gal:
katieraye04:
KelleyA:

DD#1 4-5 weeks before I could sit without pain and all of sudden I felt good.

DD#2 I felt great, seriously GREAT about 4-5 DAYS after having her. I attribute it to using epi foam, dermoplast and tucks pads. Nobody told me how to use them after having DD#1 so I suffered. I had a fantastic nurse who told me to lay the tucks pads in the feminine pad like they were salami (slightly overlapped), spray the epi foam on them then spray it down with dermoplast and spray myself with the dermoplast and put it on. It felt SO good and I recovered faster.

Do this!!! That's what my nurse taught me and it worked wonders! I would say it was about 7-10 days before I didn't feel anything but I know for a fact that without the above combination I would have been much worse off. Good luck!

What's epi foam?

They gave it to me at the hospital, but I'm betting if you ask your OB about it they'll give it to you or tell you how to get it.

I delivered both babies at the same hospital and was never given any of those things...no tucks, colace, epi foam, dermaplast, etc. Thankfully I had the most awesome nurse the second time to teach me and it made a world of a difference in my postpartum recovery.

I think we had the same nurse- that's exactly how she showed me to do it. Did her name start with a V? If not then they must all show the same method now.

YES!!! She rocks doesn't she? She got down on the floor in the bathroom and laid it all out and showed me. She is my hero!

This must be what they are telling most nurses now, I gave birth in Austin and this is exactly what they told me to do too.

michellebelle · October 2010

brideonjuly8:
KelleyA:
cali_girl92504:
KelleyA:
Cajun_gal:
katieraye04:
KelleyA:

DD#1 4-5 weeks before I could sit without pain and all of sudden I felt good.

DD#2 I felt great, seriously GREAT about 4-5 DAYS after having her. I attribute it to using epi foam, dermoplast and tucks pads. Nobody told me how to use them after having DD#1 so I suffered. I had a fantastic nurse who told me to lay the tucks pads in the feminine pad like they were salami (slightly overlapped), spray the epi foam on them then spray it down with dermoplast and spray myself with the dermoplast and put it on. It felt SO good and I recovered faster.

Do this!!! That's what my nurse taught me and it worked wonders! I would say it was about 7-10 days before I didn't feel anything but I know for a fact that without the above combination I would have been much worse off. Good luck!

What's epi foam?

They gave it to me at the hospital, but I'm betting if you ask your OB about it they'll give it to you or tell you how to get it.

I delivered both babies at the same hospital and was never given any of those things...no tucks, colace, epi foam, dermaplast, etc. Thankfully I had the most awesome nurse the second time to teach me and it made a world of a difference in my postpartum recovery.

I think we had the same nurse- that's exactly how she showed me to do it. Did her name start with a V? If not then they must all show the same method now.

YES!!! She rocks doesn't she? She got down on the floor in the bathroom and laid it all out and showed me. She is my hero!

This must be what they are telling most nurses now, I gave birth in Austin and this is exactly what they told me to do too.

I thought it was overboard but had 2 or 3 people (RN and PCA combo) bring in all the stuff to show me what to do and take care of me in the bathroom - and show DH. I was thinking it was a wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy overshare but given how long it took to heal maybe I was in bad shape "down there."

I think after having a 10+ lb baby vaginally with no gestational diabetes my doc will plan a C section next time. If we have a next time (still holding out hope).

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