The bleeding after birth? and the stinging after labour? tips and info?

[youngwife20]

Hey.. so I am not due for a long while! but I want to be as informed as possible, and get some personal opinions.

Number 1 : I hear you bleed alot after birth and I have no clue what to expect and how much to expect, because though I am not squeemish. I am the worst with period and period blood. so the more ready i am for it the better!

Any tips to help with managing it? Or making it a bit better? I hear hot baths help the blood come out quicker? stuff like that, was it really bad for you?

Number 2: Also i hear it really stings to pee and walk , I was wondering how long does that usualy last for? what helped with the stinging and pain?

The only thing ive heard is patting your lady parts with a cold towel before peeing the first time etc.

How long did your down there hurt for?

Anything to help heal down there faster?

I know its very early to be thinking about this. but i want to be well informed!!

 

[lozzy21]

You do bleed quite a lot at first and it can last for weeks. Expect some clots in the first few hours too. Having plenty of maternity mads to hand is the only tip really. Walm baths can make the bleeding heavier but it doesn't make it stop any sooner.

I had an eposiotomy(sp?) so had to have a lot of stiches and it honestly dident sting too bad when walking or peeing. My advice is to drink lots, the more you drink the more diluted your pee is so the less it stings. Getting comfy when sitting can be a little tricky so i spent most of my time on the bed. The best thing for healing is rest. Dont try to do too much too fast and try and eat lots of fruit and veggies.

 

[youngwife20]

Thank you! ooh warm batths makes the bleeding heavier! i wont be having a warm bath then lol

 

[Kess]

I have barely bled at all tbh, compared to what I was expecting. First few days was like a slightly heavier period than normal, but eased off quickly. No clots. If you have a natural third stage (wait for your body to expell the placenta on its own rather than having the injection) there's some anecdotal evidence that you bleed a little heavier at the birth (though I only bled a little then too) but less afterwards. Breastfeeding also helps the uterus contract, so pushes the blood out and speeds everything returning to normal.

The stinging is to do with stitches or grazes down there, and pee getting on them. I found the best thing to do was lean right forwards (hands on the floor) to pee until things healed up, as then the pee runs forwards away from the stitches etc, so no stinging. There's also a sort of bruised feeling, and not much to be done about that, but that doesn't make you need to be scraped off the ceiling like pee on stitches does lol. It never stung me to walk, it was just a bit uncomfortable with the bruised feeling for a day or so.

I took at least once (twice to begin with) daily sit-baths with lavender oil in the water - add 6 drops of lavender oil mixed in three tablespoons of full fat milk (though semi-skimmed will do in a pinch) to allow the oil to mix properly with the water.

As for how long... I'm still not quite comfortable down there and it's been about three weeks, but I'm not in pain or anything. I was itchy as the stitches healed and it got a little irritated at wearing a pad all the time.

ETA: Definitely agree with Lozzy about drinking lots! Diluted pee stings less, and if it's just a strong little dribble of pee instead of a greater quantity of diluted pee, it's more likely to run backwards onto stitches even with you leaning forwards.

 

[Glowstar]

I had an episiotomoy the first time and would say Lozzy is right...diluting you wee will def help with any stinging sensation. I actually took my own toilet roll to the hospital as back then (mid 90's) toilet loo roll was like grease proof paper

2nd time I tore and had stitches inside and out but it wasn't really any more painful. I was never in tears with either of them after to be honest so it can't have been that bad...just tender.

MY ONE TIP WOULD BE THIS!!! If they offer you a suppository to go for a number two after you've given birth, TAKE IT! I made the mistake of not taking it the first time, ended up on iron tablets which then made me constipated so you can imagine...it was like giving birth again going for a number 2!!!
I was much wiser the 2nd time and asked for one before being offered and I nver had a problem

 

[youngwife20]

I have barely bled at all tbh, compared to what I was expecting. First few days was like a slightly heavier period than normal, but eased off quickly. No clots. If you have a natural third stage (wait for your body to expell the placenta on its own rather than having the injection) there's some anecdotal evidence that you bleed a little heavier at the birth (though I only bled a little then too) but less afterwards. Breastfeeding also helps the uterus contract, so pushes the blood out and speeds everything returning to normal.

The stinging is to do with stitches or grazes down there, and pee getting on them. I found the best thing to do was lean right forwards (hands on the floor) to pee until things healed up, as then the pee runs forwards away from the stitches etc, so no stinging. There's also a sort of bruised feeling, and not much to be done about that, but that doesn't make you need to be scraped off the ceiling like pee on stitches does lol. It never stung me to walk, it was just a bit uncomfortable with the bruised feeling for a day or so.

I took at least once (twice to begin with) daily sit-baths with lavender oil in the water - add 6 drops of lavender oil mixed in three tablespoons of full fat milk (though semi-skimmed will do in a pinch) to allow the oil to mix properly with the water.

As for how long... I'm still not quite comfortable down there and it's been about three weeks, but I'm not in pain or anything. I was itchy as the stitches healed and it got a little irritated at wearing a pad all the time.

ETA: Definitely agree with Lozzy about drinking lots! Diluted pee stings less, and if it's just a strong little dribble of pee instead of a greater quantity of diluted pee, it's more likely to run backwards onto stitches even with you leaning forwards.

Thank you so much for the advice! and wow what made you know about milk in the bath? and congrats on your new baby! i hope all your bleedings stopped now and its good it wasnt as much as you expected

 

[youngwife20]

I had an episiotomoy the first time and would say Lozzy is right...diluting you wee will def help with any stinging sensation. I actually took my own toilet roll to the hospital as back then (mid 90's) toilet loo roll was like grease proof paper

2nd time I tore and had stitches inside and out but it wasn't really any more painful. I was never in tears with either of them after to be honest so it can't have been that bad...just tender.

MY ONE TIP WOULD BE THIS!!! If they offer you a suppository to go for a number two after you've given birth, TAKE IT! I made the mistake of not taking it the first time, ended up on iron tablets which then made me constipated so you can imagine...it was like giving birth again going for a number 2!!!
I was much wiser the 2nd time and asked for one before being offered and I nver had a problem

Thanks! i think i will ask for a supository, why is it hard to poo after you give birth ?

 

[feisty_filly]

My midwife advised holding a warm wet cloth / flannel to.my tear when I.had to pee to protect it and it was a life saver! Unfortunatly there's nothing you can realy do for the bruseing or bleeding except give it time.

 

[special_kala]

Im still bleeding slightly but its nothing really. At ghe beginning it can be pretty heavy and with clots. Definitely use maternity pads, the thicker the better.

Ive only had grazes so wasnt too uncomfortabe but tilting forward to wee helps and when you do your first post pregnancy poop put pressure on your perinium.

 

[youngwife20]

Thank you for the advice karla!

 

[FeistyMom]

Not sure if the UK hospitals/centers have these, but in the US you get this little bottle that you can fill with warm water and squirt up there while peeing and that dilutes it to avoid stinging too. Plus I found that I would use that to clean up afterwards, and then just pat very very very gently with toilet paper.

I was also advised to put witch hazel pads (Tucks is the most common brand I think) on top of the sanitary pad to help sooth the lady bits as well as to avoid sticking to the pad. Those helped.

But the neatest thing of all was that immediately after delivery, the nurses set me up with what can only be called a diaper with ice in it. It was heavenly.

First poos after birth can be very painful because you use mainly the same muscles to push out the baby as to push out poo, and they are very tired, plus the entire perineum is stretched and exhausted, and if you have any stitches, straining to have a bowel movement can put pressure on them. However, you can get stool softeners that help make it easier, and staying hydrated is very important.

A word about the bleeding - it can last for quite a while, but having it end VERY quickly is often a sign of problems. A friend of mine only bled for 6 days after her first, and was up and active right away - only to hemmorage badly 2 weeks later, as a clot had formed that was blocking the normal bleeding from happening. So too little blood can be a warning sign that the uterus may have some clots.

 

[hattiehippo]

Definately be aware that the bleeding can be very heavy - mine was very heavy for at least the 1st 2 days and I had a lot of leaking through doubled up maternity towels if I'd been lying down and then stood up.
I also had a couple of really big clots...like satsuma sized...luckily I was still in hospital at this point so a midwife could check straight away that everything felt ok with my womb contracting. After about a week the bleeding tailed off a lot and then just carried on for about 4 or 5 weeks more with stops and starts. I didn't realise till afterwards that when the placenta comes away, it leaves an open wound in your womb that has to heal up and that is what is bleeding....kind of makes sense that if you do too much then its going to take longer to heal.

I had stitches for a tear but didn't have any problems with them stinging. I was freaked out though by how swollen everything down below was a day or 2 afterwards and the 1st poo was definately a scary experience!

 

[youngwife20]

wow thank you! all that advice made so much sence! i will get a flannel and put ice in to help right after birth! great idea!!

 

[youngwife20]

Definately be aware that the bleeding can be very heavy - mine was very heavy for at least the 1st 2 days and I had a lot of leaking through doubled up maternity towels if I'd been lying down and then stood up.
I also had a couple of really big clots...like satsuma sized...luckily I was still in hospital at this point so a midwife could check straight away that everything felt ok with my womb contracting. After about a week the bleeding tailed off a lot and then just carried on for about 4 or 5 weeks more with stops and starts. I didn't realise till afterwards that when the placenta comes away, it leaves an open wound in your womb that has to heal up and that is what is bleeding....kind of makes sense that if you do too much then its going to take longer to heal.

I had stitches for a tear but didn't have any problems with them stinging. I was freaked out though by how swollen everything down below was a day or 2 afterwards and the 1st poo was definately a scary experience!

THAT is my biggest nightmare leaking!!!! serously i cant even handle the thought of it.. how can i prevent that though? other than changing my pad every 20 mins!!

and i will for sure drink lots of orange juice eat lots of fruit and have softener!

 

[cherryglitter]

my bleeding wasn't too bad after the labour. wasn't really like blood. just red fluid.

my first period however was awful!! really really bad, had to use a hand towel instead of pads as i was just soaking them when i moved. told that is normal as well though!

it did sting when i wee'd. i used to lean forward on the toilet to help though. pooing was a nightmare but i would def advise taking some sort of laxative! once you've been once it's fine.

good luck hun. x

 

[lozzy21]

My first poo was fine despite being stiched. The trick is to not hold it in and just sit on the loo, dont strain. Do what the blokes do and take a magazine in with you, it will probably take a while so dont try to make it come out any faster.

 

[youngwife20]

Cherry glitter - thanks very much for the advice I didn't even think about what the first periofs goonna be like lol I forgot about that, but I'm glad I'm aware it may be heavy! It makes me feel a lot better about the whole process knowing tips on how to make it not be as bad or as painful as it cud be! Thanks!

Lozzy- thanks! That's a great idea! I'll just take a magazine in and some music keep me ocupied till it comes! Lol thanks

 

[goddess25]

There is lots you can try.

With my first birth, I tore badly so I dont remember the bleeding so much, but it was painful to pee, I had lots of stitches and used sitz baths twice a day which really helped, cold compresses from the freezer directly onto lady parts helped, warm cloths was nice.

With second birth, no pain with peeing etc but bled tonnes for about 8 weeks after birth. Bled heavily for about 4 weeks and for the next 4 weeks light bleeding but passing clots, I would suddenly feel a slight pain in tummy and feel a pressure and need to pee and would go to the loo and a big clot would come out. Just used lots of maxi pads. Nothing helped to slow it any.

 

[Kess]

I have barely bled at all tbh, compared to what I was expecting. First few days was like a slightly heavier period than normal, but eased off quickly. No clots. If you have a natural third stage (wait for your body to expell the placenta on its own rather than having the injection) there's some anecdotal evidence that you bleed a little heavier at the birth (though I only bled a little then too) but less afterwards. Breastfeeding also helps the uterus contract, so pushes the blood out and speeds everything returning to normal.

The stinging is to do with stitches or grazes down there, and pee getting on them. I found the best thing to do was lean right forwards (hands on the floor) to pee until things healed up, as then the pee runs forwards away from the stitches etc, so no stinging. There's also a sort of bruised feeling, and not much to be done about that, but that doesn't make you need to be scraped off the ceiling like pee on stitches does lol. It never stung me to walk, it was just a bit uncomfortable with the bruised feeling for a day or so.

I took at least once (twice to begin with) daily sit-baths with lavender oil in the water - add 6 drops of lavender oil mixed in three tablespoons of full fat milk (though semi-skimmed will do in a pinch) to allow the oil to mix properly with the water.

As for how long... I'm still not quite comfortable down there and it's been about three weeks, but I'm not in pain or anything. I was itchy as the stitches healed and it got a little irritated at wearing a pad all the time.

ETA: Definitely agree with Lozzy about drinking lots! Diluted pee stings less, and if it's just a strong little dribble of pee instead of a greater quantity of diluted pee, it's more likely to run backwards onto stitches even with you leaning forwards.

Thank you so much for the advice! and wow what made you know about milk in the bath? and congrats on your new baby! i hope all your bleedings stopped now and its good it wasnt as much as you expected

MW told me about the lavender and milk. If you don't mix the oil with the milk the oil just sits in droplets on the surface of the water. The fat in the milk allows the oil to mix with it, and then distributes it properly in the bath water. Lavender is mildly antibacterial, healing and soothing. I used teatree oil too a couple of times, which is more strongly antibacterial but less soothing. That first bath after birth is amazing!

Still bleeding but only a little - I would be able to just use one pad all day if I wanted, in terms of quantity, though I prefer having fresh ones on. I think some of my quick recovery has been having minimal interventions in the birth (G&A only), and some has been breastfeeding - seriously, even if you're planning on formula feeding I'd recommend considering BFing for a brief time anyway just for the benefits for yourself! My uterus shrank down really quickly, even MW was surprised at how soon it was back down to basically normal sized (and I've been back in my normal clothes for over a week, even if it's those with a slightly looser waistband, not my tight jeans lol), and if you're wanting ways to get the blood out quicker, BFing does that.

Don't be surprised how swollen you will be down there after birth. Try not to feel around down there too much as it feels worse to your fingers than it actually is - MW fetched a mirror and got me to look and I was surprised that is didn't look half as swollen as it felt.

 

[hattiehippo]

I think if you've got really heavy bleeding then just go with changing as often as possible but don't worry if you do leak...mine was only that heavy for the 1st 2 or 3 days and then it was down to more mangeable levels. But you could be lucky and not have a lot of bleeding like other ladies - I wouldn't worry too much about it before hand cos there's not much you can do to change it.