New moms: please tell us...

kermiefrg · August 2011

While we wait impatiently for our babies...

how bad is it *down there* after giving birth?

catahoulatte · August 2011

I had one 1st degree tear that got a few stitches, and I feel fine now. Unfortunately the first few days I felt pretty raw down there and when I peed it looked like a murder scene. It gets better quickly though. Dermaplast spray and the peri bottle work wonders!!

Cobra11 · August 2011

Ok...first 2 days...DON'T LOOK, seriously just don't look! It's huge and doesn't look anything like what a vagina should look like and I very nearly passed out the first time I looked. (For me it was 2 days of really bad swelling, could be more or less.) As for pain, I really felt almost back to normal by about the 1 week mark, and 2 weeks (today), it looks the same and feels pretty much back to normal. This could all vary though, depending on episiotomy, tearing...or whatever. I do have this weird pressure in my butt when I sneeze or cough..almost like I could literally sneeze my butt off.

Oct08b2bee · August 2011

TMI: As if the vag area isn't bad enough (as PP said), for me, the other "down there" is even worse. My 'roids are out of control. They massive and itch like crazy. I'm praying for some relief soon.

Cobra11 · August 2011

Oct08b2bee:
TMI: As if the vag area isn't bad enough (as PP said), for me, the other "down there" is even worse. My 'roids are out of control. They massive and itch like crazy. I'm praying for some relief soon.

Aw, I hope you get some relief too! The hemmies suck!

Duckieer · August 2011

Like PPs said... The first week or so is NOT good. Lots OG sweeping, nothing feels right, it hurts to cough or sneeze, etc. I had a 2nd degree tear and tons of stitches but by now (almost 2 weeks) it feels pretty much back to normal. Still bleeding and some discomfort sometimes, but all in all not too bad.

JenJar · August 2011

It will definitely depend on your delivery. I had an episiotomy and stitches with my first delivery and was in a lot of pain. BMs hurt, coughing hurt, sneezing hurt. I used a lot of dermoplast and tucks pads. This time, without any tearing or stitches, it's been much easier. The first week it burned a little while I peed, and I felt like I started to get raw from the pads, but I didn't have the pain. No matter what, the peri bottle is your new bff!

imurs8228 · August 2011

Well I was induced and in labor for 30 hours, then pushed for 4 more only to deliver via C-section because little man wouldn't budge...Oh and I had severe pre-e so I was on Magnesium Sulfate and couldn't eat, therefore I wasn't allowed out of bed for 24 hours after I delivered -

Because of ALL that (especially the 5 days of complete bed rest), I was so swollen that I had constant ice on my *hooha* for two days. I had a catheter since I was on bed rest and they actually had to move my catheter every 6 hours because I was so swollen that it was leaving sores and indents on my labia...I can tell you though that by a week PP, it wasn't bad enough for me to be bothered. The hemmorhoids are still killing me and my whole groin area is still a little puffy/swollen.

Honestly, it completely SUCKED but once I was able to get up and moving, it was a little better.

Leah678 · August 2011

I had a second degree tear and it hurt pretty freaking bad. The ice packs felt great the first 24 hours afterwards. Also the sitz bath helps a LOT. It hasn't been a full week for me, but I can already tell a big difference in the pain and I don't have to take as much medicine. I still can't wait for these stitches to dissolve though!

crystal959 · August 2011

With my first pregnancy, it was bad. I had a small tear so I couldn't wipe for nearly 2 weeks, and when it started to heal it itched like H*ll.

This time around, no problems whatsoever, I could wipe 4 days PP.

VESmith25 · August 2011

cadegani:
With my first pregnancy, it was bad. I had a small tear so I couldn't wipe for nearly 2 weeks, and when it started to heal it itched like H*ll.

How come no one ever talks about the itching! All of my friends told me about how painful their experiences were but not one person ever mentioned how bad the itching is when things are healing. That has been the worst for me by far!!

K-hart · August 2011

Depends on the person/situation. I had one stitch. It was slightly tender. Now it's slightly itchy. Also, my bleeding is pretty much gone (1 week later).

NurseLaLa · August 2011

Bad. IIRC, it took me about 4 months before it felt close to normal, then a few months longer to feel almost new. Doesn't look new, but with the exception of the immediate opening, it's just as... Grabby... as it was before for DH.

wink, wink, nudge, nudge? :P

vstevens · August 2011

Not good. I had a LOT of stitches, I'm still bleeding, and I still can't walk a mile without it stinging pretty badly.

To be honest, much worse than I thought it would be. BUT to give people hope, I had a vacuum-assist, so I think that makes it worse than if you can get baby out unassisted. And it is obviously worth it Smile .

Oh, one more thing. Everyone told me that I wouldn't notice being stitched up because I'd be so madly in love with the baby in my arms. I was definitely in love with the baby, but I noticed every.f-ing.stitch. In my warped post-delivery memory, the stitching up feels like the worst part!

EllenK11 · August 2011

I had a 2nd degree episotomy/tear. The 2nd day after delivery was the worst, the combo of pad, ice pack and tucks I used in the hospital was a life saver as well as the peri bottle. I am 9 days PP and I am still a little sore but it gets better everyday. Sitz baths and hot showers work wonders also. I am still bleeding quite a bit when I nurse/pump but the dr said to expect that.

One of my biggest concerns was having a BM after birth, b/c I was so afraid it was going to hurt. I started on stool softeners the day after delivery and it helped tremedously. Don't be afraid to go, b/c it will make it worse.

rpm22 · August 2011

This time around, I felt completely normal within days......I mean, totally back to the same. I went swimming 6 days after baby was born.....walking was fine. But I only pushed 6 times, and had one tiny stitch.....

One word of advice.....metamucil!!! Makes the first poop MUCH better....

Ryan&Kristin062009 · August 2011

I had a 2nd degree tear. It wasn't that bad. I was sore the rest of the day (had LO at 3pm), but the next day was better, and the day after better than that. I'm 6wks pp and i've felt really good for the past few weeks now. Just keep up with the pain meds and use the big pads/witch hazel pads/squirt bottle and whatnot they give you and you'll be good to go.

kjuryfl · August 2011

I didn't even think about looking or feeling down there for a good two weeks.. I looks and feels normal now. I had a first degree internal tear that only required one stitch, but man did it itch while healing.. The bleeding is annoying to say the least.. I am just about 3 week PP and still have to wear a pad.

Monsieur_et_Madame_Ha · August 2011

With DD#1, I couldn't really tell anything apart in that area for about a week or so. I just had this "buzzing" feeling and overall felt like an 18-wheeler had run through my lady bits. Fun times.

With DD#2, I had the same amount of tearing (2 -3 stitches, nothing to write home about) yet I feel 1000x better. Maybe it's because I'm just a stretched out old hag lol. Or maybe it's because DD#2 was slightly smaller. I don't really care to know why, though, I'm just glad recovery is that much easier

Mish2g · August 2011

CatahoulaMom:
I had one 1st degree tear that got a few stitches, and I feel fine now. Unfortunately the first few days I felt pretty raw down there and when I peed it looked like a murder scene. It gets better quickly though. Dermaplast spray and the peri bottle work wonders!!

This is me, except Im on day 10 and have a dull aching soreness down there & stinging when I pee. Dermoplast doesnt help any more, but the peri bottle is a life saver!!!!

Phil413 · August 2011

My labor was pretty easy so I may not be the best witness, but it's not too bad. The first week it's like a crime scene with lots of blood and clotting. I'm over 2 weeks out now and it's been like a normal period for about 6 days. Most hospitals give you this pad/ice pack thing that is fabulous. Sitz baths and Tucks help too. Colace will be your best friend. Speaking of that, the first BM is totally traumatic to think about, but it actually turns out to be not that bad. The first time you pee though it stings a lot like PP said, but each time it gets better.

MinnieM · August 2011

vstevens:
Oh, one more thing. Everyone told me that I wouldn't notice being stitched up because I'd be so madly in love with the baby in my arms. I was definitely in love with the baby, but I noticed every.f-ing.stitch. In my warped post-delivery memory, the stitching up feels like the worst part!

I totally agree! Yes, I was so blissed out and in love with DS, but damn I felt it all down there. I have no idea how many stitches she put in (didn't really want to ask) but it felt like 100.

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