Mothers Fear Healing Complications After Birth

“Hi everyone, I had my baby 9 weeks ago. Delivery was pretty easy, had a 1st degree tear but that was all. I unfortunately also developed an abscess when I was 37 weeks pregnant and had to have that drained before giving birth and again a couple of weeks ago. I already had my 6 week check-up and everything was fine. I was doing well energy-wise until 1-2 weeks ago, but I am suddenly super exhausted. I really want to go back to working out, but whenever I do, I need a 2-hour nap to recover from it”

“I had my baby 3 weeks ago on September 15th. The birth was VERY traumatic - a 30 hour induced labor, foley balloon, catheter, sunny side up delivery, 2nd degree tear needing stitches, hemorrhage needing a lot of intervention after birth, and more. There were a lotttt of hands and instruments inside of me during my labor and birth and I think it’s contributed to slow healing. I really feel like I was not prepared for how limiting postpartum healing would be for me. My bleeding has improved and my”

“To try to make a long story short, I had a very hard postpartum recovery journey with complications to my tear that caused me to not heal correctly for 10 weeks and was in severe pain. I wasn't able to sit up properly due to the pain so I tried side nurse laying which my baby took to luckily, but we introduced bottles of pumped milk early on due to the recovery issues to help. Around 6 weeks I needed revision surgery in which I couldn't breastfeed for 2 days and since then she always pre”

“How long did it take for it to feel like your insides were going to fall out when sitting on the toilet or walking around. I gave birth about a week ago and I’ve been doing all the things, pads, peri bottle, tucks, dermoplast, everything. I only had stinging when I peed the first day or two, but my biggest issue is if I walk around or sit on the toilet the soreness/pain is unbearable. It literally feels like my uterus is going to fall out. submitted by /u/Mediocre-Summer-5577 [link]”

“hey everyone! i’m one month and 15 days PP and i had a c section. they did dissolvable stitches and then surgical glue to close me up. my 6 week appt is scheduled for wednesday. ive been finally feeling great and moving around pretty easy after a hard recovery. issue is yesterday twisted my torso as i usually do and i felt a surge of just HOT on my incision. i didn’t think anything of it so i never checked. i looked late last night and the glue had lifted off completely in the middle where i fel”

“I delivered my baby via c-section just under 3 weeks ago and my recovery has been really tough. I wanted to see if this is normal?? Everyone I know has said they had the best recovery, they were up and walking 3 days after their c-section and perfectly fine after a week. It took 2 weeks for the massive swelling in my legs and feet to go away. It was super painful and i could barely stand up or walk. The meds I’ve been prescribed are tylenol, ibuprofen, and low dose dilaudid. I still feel a lot o”

“I'm 2 weeks pp after my C section and healing had been going pretty well. Still some occasional soreness and discomfort, but was actually feeling really quite good and mostly pain free. Then I went to see my GP today because I was unsure about a hard lump type feeling above my incision (which has actually reduced now and seems it was likely my uterus and/or trapped gas). She pressed quite hard and painfully around my incision to palpate my uterus & any lumps, and ever since then I've”

“Had my baby 27th July, I’m about 8-9 weeks PP. at first it felt like my episiotomy was healing but recently when I walk it’s feeling tender and hurting like it’s being stretched :( got a fissure at 6weeks PP and now I’m struggling thru recovering from that my episiotomy is going backwards :( whose had an episiotomy and what does it feel like now where you’re at ?🥀 submitted by /u/Rare_Ice_4657 [link] [comments]”

“Anyone had experience with granulation tissue coming back even after getting it surgically removed? submitted by /u/Massive-Ad6037 [link] [comments]”

“Hello, I was induced a little less than 2 years ago for my first baby. I ended up getting a a bad infection from being in labor so long that they used the vacuum and I unfortunately got a 4th degree tear. It's been a little over 20 months and while it doesn't hurt every day, I notice it still hurts sometimes....like when I am active/exercising.. or this is a weird one -- when it's cold. I asked my OB GYN and she said that it could be scar tissue and that it looked like it healed OK.”

“I’ve scoured these Reddit threads searching for anyone who has needed pain meds for longer than a week. vaginal delivery with epidural, second degree fully internal tear but my OB said she expected me to be in more pain due to the “nature of my repair” and hasn’t elaborated (all I know is it took 2 OBs to repair me). I‘m 2 weeks + 5 days PP and I’m still maxing out on ibuprofen (600mg) and Tylenol (1000mg) every six hours each. I went in for an early check a few days ago and my OB recommended lo”

“I know I might sound ridiculous, and honestly, I partly blame social media for constantly putting women on my FYP who “snap back” immediately after giving birth. 😭 I had my second c-section 6.5 weeks ago, and my body has changed SO much. Before pregnancy I was a size 4/6, and now I can’t even get my pants past my thighs. Tonight was the first time my husband and I went out together since having the baby, and I tried to put on my biggest pair of jeans. I ended up bursting into tears because I co”

“I gave birth 9 weeks ago now and had some tearing. Around week 3-4, my pain and bleeding got worse. I called the OB and the charge nurse told me it was normal and wouldn’t let me come in. I felt embarrassed that maybe I overreacted reacted as a first time mom. At my 6 weeks postpartum appointment, which is the first time they saw me in person after delivery, the doctor told me I was clear to have sex, dismissed my pain and told me it had to be a UTI before she even examined me. Then, when she ex”

“I was induced and labored for a total of 37 hours. I guess my little guy got over being inside of my belly for so long because when it was time to push he came out in less than two minutes and three pushes. So quick, that I tore almost all the way to my butthole, my perineal muscle is torn in half, and also tore my urethra. Didn’t know that could happen. 10 days postpartum and still using ice packs and numbing spray to help me fall asleep at night. Holy moly. The pain is getting better but now i”

“Gave birth 5w3d ago and had a second degree tear, but it feels like things are healing very nicely and bleeding has stopped. I know technically I have to wait until 6 weeks for the “all clear” but I was wondering if anyone has done a splash pad/pool with their kid at this point. For context, i have a 2 year old & we were invited by family to meet them at a resort for their pool and splash area. I do not plan to fully submerge in the water, just want to walk around with my daughter in the spl”

“This is my second baby, I had him 10 weeks ago. I got my first period and now on day 9… and it has been constantly heavy, I’ve never experienced heavy periods and always only went for 5 days even after my first son. But this is going on so long, and it’s a lot more blood than I’m use to, so many pad changes, constantly feeling the leaking, getting blood into my underwear and clothes.. and just getting out of the shower not even two seconds and I bled on myself.. I’m feeling exhausted, weak and h”

“TW: postpartum bleeding/clots I’m 7-ish weeks postpartum and have had a pretty complicated postpartum bleeding situation. About 10 days ago, I had a procedure to remove retained products of conception (RPOC) after an ultrasound showed an 18 mm vascular area in my uterus that was concerning for RPOC. After the procedure, I had some bleeding and small clots, but it gradually became lighter and then completely stopped yesterday. I thought I was finally done with the bleeding. Then this morning, com”

“So I'm 4 weeks postpartum and my incision still hasn't healed. It weeps a little every day. My doctor keeps saying it IS healing, just slowly, i'm keeping an eye on it, and if it gets worse, i'm going straight back. Since my midwife showed me how to do the dressing changes, I've been handling it on my own at home. And honestly? On top of caring for a newborn, dealing with this whole routine I never expected? I'm exhausted. Nobody warns you that recovery might look like th”

“I’m 6 weeks postpartum and things still don’t smell right down there lol I have a c section and the bleeding has stopped but something just isn’t right. No signs of infection. Is this normal I read online it’s not but I read else where it takes awhile to go away. submitted by /u/Illustrious_Ad704 [link] [comments]”

“Does it get worse before it gets better? It hurts to walk around and get up from the bed/couch. Hurts to sit down on hard surfaces… I’ve given my husband the task of doing all the diaper changes through the night as well as fetching things for me when I’m nursing. Im taking ibuprofen around the clock and it helps some but not all. I think I may have over exerted myself yesterday by walking around a lot in our condo. Big mistake on my part, I know… So that may be the reason I’m feeling extra ache”

“First-time mama here, 9 weeks postpartum, and feeling really scared and overwhelmed. Has anyone experienced a retained placenta after a vaginal birth? My delivery was very quick (about 15 minutes), but my placenta wouldn’t come out and was extremely stuck to my uterus. It had to be manually removed, which was honestly one of the most painful and terrifying experiences of my life. The doctor had to manually remove it in pieces for almost an hour. The next morning, an ultrasound showed a 3.5 × 3.5”

“I’m 3 weeks postpartum with my first baby, and I’m really struggling with feeling impatient with my recovery. I know 3 weeks is still SO early and I know I’m not supposed to be fully healed yet, but I’m just really tired of feeling like I can’t do much. I want to feel normal again. I want to be busy, active, get out of the house, go shopping, go for walks, and just feel like myself. Instead, I feel like I’m laying in bed the entire day recovering. Yesterday I decided to try going shopping and th”

“people who have had stitches down there after normal delivery, how long it took for them to completely dissolve and heal? it's been a month for me and i can still feel multiple stitches along with a stitch on my hemmoriod. they all are uncomfortable but the one on hemmoriod hurt alot while sitting and walking and i have to use a donut pillow. everyone around me says it takes only a week for these stitches to heal and gets shocked when i tell them i still have them and they hurt, but my docto”

“At 5.5 weeks I started having intermittent heavy bleeding. My GP sent me to hospital when they confirmed retained product of conception and I had an emergency D&C where I then had a PPH due to endometritis. I went nearly 48 hours with very little food or water, but thankfully my baby was able to be with me and feed on demand for the majority of the time except for when I was in surgery and recovery. I had regular IV antibiotics while in hospital and am now on two oral ABs twice a day. She ha”

“Hi everyone, I’m 3 weeks postpartum with an episiotomy that’s opened up. My biggest struggle right now is intense right-sided swelling and a heavy, dragging pelvic pressure whenever I stand, walk, or sit. I feel like my progress has been pretty stagnant this past week. For anyone who had a similar healing process : 1. When did that heavy, bowling-ball pressure finally start to lighten up and is it normal to not be able to stand without it hurting? 2. How many weeks did it take for the surface sk”

“For context, my postpartum journey has been a whirlwind to say the least. My second degree tear hasn't fully healed right due to some granulation tissue causing immense pain, I've had to have two burning treatments so far. May need minor surgery if the second doesn't work. It's made it hard to sit upright, walk, get out of the house, and care for her. Because of my rough recovery we introduced a bottle early to help. It's hurt to sit up at all so I nursed side laying the last”

“For context, my postpartum journey has been a whirlwind to say the least. My second degree tear hasn't fully healed right due to some granulation tissue causing immense pain, I've had to have two burning treatments so far. May need minor surgery if the second doesn't work. It's made it hard to sit upright, walk, get out of the house, and care for her. Because of my rough recovery we introduced a bottle early to help. It's hurt to sit up at all so I nursed side laying the last”

“I’m two weeks postpartum, after a shower yesterday I decided to take a look at my stitches. I had a mild second degree tear, according to doc. What I did not expect was the opening of my vagina. It was open like the size of a quarter/silver dollar and looked like light pink tissue was totally blocking it. I’m terrified it’s some kind of prolapse or something but everything online suggests I’d feel pressure or hanging or something and I don’t, all I feel is some residual stinging from the stitche”

“For those who have had this treatment done, at what point afterwards did you know it worked? I got the tissue on my perineum treated about 26 hours ago. It burnt badly for a several hours afterwards. This morning it still feels pretty sore. My doctor numbed me and did a pretty aggressive treatment. Wondering how long it took for you to know it worked or decide you needed a second round? submitted by /u/Upset-Instruction-45 [link] [comments]”

“Hello! Would love to hear some advice before I can call hospital/arrange a gp this week. 6 and a half weeks post partum after episiotomy. For the first time since birth I have done a physical examination down there and have discovered what feels like a large bump/lump of bumpy meat sticking out of my v. It feels like a big lump sticking out. Idk how else to explain it. I can sort of put my finger around at least three sides of it. I wasn't confident in over-exploring. What could this be? Can”

“Hi Moms I am 3 years from my youngest being born in June 2023. I had two c sections two years apart and I continue to be frustrated with my c section scar and shelf. I have always had a fluid/ scars tissue not sure what build up above my c section scar and more to the right side. It lessens if I lose a few pounds but it is still more noticeable. I exercise and walk and am relatively healthy. any suggestions?! submitted by /u/Flashy_Round2595 [link] [comments]”

“FTM here. I delivered a beautiful baby girl about 5 weeks ago on July 3rd. I had a second degree tear that required internal and external stitches. The pain was so bad that I needed assistance to get out of bed and to the restroom that first week. By the second week the pain had lessened but turned into a pinching sensation. I made an appointment with OB to rule out infection and was told that everything was healing nicely and that I still had a stitch and to hang in there. Fast forward two more”

“I have a call into triage and am currently waiting to hear back but in the meantime I am spiraling. 3rd C-section was beginning of July. I hemorrhaged and had scar tissue complications. Recovered and felt good about 1.5 weeks later. Bleeding was mild. Then a few days later, I started passing big clots and weird stringy bleeding. I thought it was normal and let it go for a week. Then I started soaking pads so I went in. They did the full work up and an abdominal ultrasound. They said I had no ret”

“When did everyone stop bleeding postpartum? For reference I had a vaginal birth with a second degree tear. Currently 12 dpp and I’d describe it like a light period. submitted by /u/Relevant_Lynx_5117 [link] [comments]”

“Hi guys. I was induced last fall and i ended up needing an emergency c-section. At my last gyno physical(6 months pp), the doctor said that my c-section scar is really red and had keloids/excess scar tissue and because of the way the scar is there, it makes her nervous that my uterus could have excess scar tissue/adhesions and that it could cause a problem if I need another emergency c-section. But she said I might not have any adhesions, there is no way to tell unless they open me up and look.”

“I’m so over postpartum recovery and I’ve only just begun. I’m 10 days postpartum, I had a VBAC (I swear C section recovery was better). I got a 2nd degree tear, stitches and had a catheter inserted 2x to drain my bladder. Yesterday my urethra felt weird. Kind of like a fluttery feeling. Peeing is rough because it stung in the beginning and I didn’t really feel an urge to go. Now it constantly feels like I’m going to pee myself. I did a home UTI test ans peed right on the stick and the nitrates w”

“Currently 9 days post partum from a vaginal delivery with a mild post partum hemorrhage and 2nd degree tear. Bleeding is still a pretty heavy period with occasional penny size clots. Bleeding is still bright red and has not transitioned to pink or brown. I’m not saturating a pad in an hour or anything but it doesn’t seem to be slowing down from the first few days. Anyone else have the bright red lochia at 9 days post partum? submitted by /u/Puzzleheaded_Many_32 [link] [comments”

“Tonight my husband had a nightmare and asked if my newborn was breathing. I instantly went into panic mode and sat straight up from laying down. Did I mess up my healing process? I’m 13 days pp and had a 2nd degree tear. I feel menstrual like pain and some pain in my stitches. I’m terrified. submitted by /u/anonymoususer249 [link] [comments]”

“I am currently 3 weeks 2 days PP. I had a pretty traumatic prolonged pushing of 4 hours. Because of this I was very swollen and have a bilateral second degree tear, micro abrasions throughout my vaginal canal and found at my 2 week OB checkup I had minor tissue separation from straining it during recovery. Needless to say, I'm in a lot of pain still. I've been breastfeeding as well as pumping and giving her bottles pretty much right away because recovery's been so hard (I can mainly”

“I’m 4 months pp and have still not healed from my second degree tear due to granulation tissue. I had (emphasis on had) a male OBGYN my entire pregnancy / delivery and I have seen him 3 different times for this issue and all he could think to do was throw creams/ointments at it and when that ultimately did not work he suggested SURGERY to cut out the tissue and start over. I was not happy with that suggestion (I had previously mentioned silver nitrate to him but he seemed so adverse to it that I”

“I am 37 week with planned second C section on 39th. For the whole pregnancy I am experiencing intense pain whenever I stand up, raise my legs (even while sitting) and getting out of bed feels like I need to learn how to walk again. I hear my joints cracking with movement and at this stage I can’t walk distances - even in my own house I am weak to be on my own. And it just occurred to me that IT MIGHT BE WORSE? I didnt gave PGP (pelvic girdle pain or whatever else it could be, I dont have it diag”

“I’m 1 week postpartum today. I tore and had to be stitched. I have felt them with my hand before in the shower but I just took another shower and I think they’re gone?? Is that possible? I used my camera to look and had my husband look and neither of us see them. submitted by /u/Glittering_Tower_571 [link] [comments]”

“Hi everyone. I am 25 days postpartum and I am recovering fairly well. I took a shower earlier and decided to look at myself using a mirror. For context, I tore on both sides of my urethra. The other day when I wiped the front, I saw a whole stitch on the wipe. I didn’t feel any pain when it happened. Anyways I’m very sad I don’t recognize myself, even my husband said it looks very different. I noticed when I pee there’s three different streams, which is what made me curious to look down there in”

“I am 9 months pp with my first baby. I had a smooth pregnancy and smooth scheduled csection. I had some issues healing my csection and wound care had to re open it 4x. Finally healed but still wearing a bandage out of paranoia it'll open again. However I've recently been having a lot of health anxiety. If I notice my heart rate ill compulsively check it which just hightens the anxiety and it's just a big spiral. Example: I'm having a heart attack. I'm alone with my baby. Im g”

“I originally stopped bleeding 1 1/2 week pp. I’ve had just the removing mucus (yellowish white fluid) remaining up until now, almost 5 weeks pp. Dark red and not heavy from what I can tell so far. Is it normal for bleeding to return. Has anyone ever experienced this ? submitted by /u/thecreator601 [link] [comments]”

“I pretty much haven’t stopped bleeding since I gave birth. I had an ultrasound done 3 days ago to check if maybe I had retained tissue or placenta. Dr said everything looks healthy and healed. I had stopped bleeding for 1 day before the ultrasound (so I wasn’t bleeding during the ultrasound) and then of course I woke up the next day bleeding bright red blood again and it hasn’t stopped. This has happened since about 5 weeks pp, I’ll stop bleeding completely for like 1-2 days (like literally noth”

“My period came back at the 8 week mark. I had a c-section. I'm exclusively formula feeding. I'm on day 4 of heavy-medium ish bleeding. When does it end? My normal periods finished in 3-4 days.. so this feels excessively long and I just hate it. The good thing is that I have absolutely zero cramps, which I used to have a lot of prior to pregnancy. submitted by /u/flowergarden71 [link] [comments]”

“Just got back from the Doctors’ after being told I have granulation tissue. She recommended Mupirocin ointment for a week and if it doesn’t get better she wants to cut it off and restitch the area. I already have 2 small kids at home now and hearing about a potential stitch has sent me spiralling. I can’t redo my healing process. After my first delivery I had a ‘rare case’ too. I got a vacuum delivery,third degree tear and a haemorrhage. Now after my second I again got a ‘rare case’ healing. I h”