time it took to heal

**Daphne** · 08-01-2005, 08:11 PM

after you give birth? It's been about 10 days for me now. I tore while they used forceps on me and have about 2-3 stitches. I have heard different things on how long it takes for women to heal - from 1 week to months. Just wondering what your recovery time was. What did you do to help with the pain. I'm taking about 3-4 hot soaks a day, using tucks pads and doing what they say. I'm at the point where I feel I need bed rest and lots of it to get better. But as you know a new mom can't lay in the bed all day.

**Darlene** · 08-01-2005, 08:22 PM

Everybody is different Daphne. I had the forceps & stitches like you did but have ants in my pants and couldn't sit still. I've been that way with any surgery I've had tho. Don't be too hard on yourself or compare yourself to others, just do what feels right to you. Talk to your doc about any aprehensions you might be having like feeling pressure & might bust open stitches etc. It just feels wierd and it's all healing, you'll be ok.

**Sara Noel** · 08-01-2005, 08:28 PM

My delivery with Zachary was very painful and I needed assistance just getting to the bathroom. I had countless stitches though and really did a number on myself with tearing.

I was restricted from driving, climbing stairs, and heavy lifting. It took months and I mean months for me to heal.

With Ally I felt almost perfectly fine after delivery and was able to shower almost immediately afterward and had barely any pain. By the time I came home, I was feeling ok. Not completely 100%, but not in incredible pain.

The difference in deliveries was so extreme. When I had Ally I was almost giddy with how much less painful it all was.

Every delivery is so different.

Hoping you heal quickly.

**Missy** · 08-01-2005, 10:25 PM

I wish I knew, all my deliveries were c-section. Wishing you fast healing.

**psjkmom** · 08-01-2005, 10:32 PM

Hang in there Daphne. My firstborn required a forcep delivery too and it took me several weeks to heal. Take it easy on yourself and rest as much as you can.

**Kimberlina** · 08-01-2005, 11:27 PM

Daphne, I had about a azillion stitches. Seriously- I had so many my midwife wouldn't tell me how many I had. I counted at least 20. The thing that I found helped the most was the sitz bath and the squirt bottle of warm water several times a day. I don't recall how long it took till I felt beck to normal, but it oculdn't have been too long, because when my midwife made her last phone call to me about two weeks after birth, I was feeling a lot better-maybe not perfectly normal, but definitely better.

Of course, I rested almost the whole first week I was home. DH would bring DD to me, and we had a whole set-up downstairs so I didn't have to go upstairs other than to shower at all. I laid around on the couch while my DH brought me water and juice and Boca Burgers for two weeks so I could heal.

Make sure you are well-nourished and gets lots of vitamin c- that is why I was drinking so much juice. It will help you heal more quickly.

**PrairieRose** · 08-02-2005, 08:53 AM

I had the forceps and stitches (lots and lots of them) too Daphne. It took me a couple of months actually to feel "almost normal" again. BUT overall it took almost a year to get my stamina back. Just be sure to take your vitamins and rest every chance you get. You'll be feeling better soon.

**KKCondrey** · 08-02-2005, 09:31 AM

I had about 3 stitches as well, but like Darlene said there was no way I could lay around. I never really had much pain but I think that the sitz bath and the squirt bottle helped that along. I did the sitz bath maybe once a day and the squirt bottle with very warm bottle after each trip to the bathroom. The worst thing for me was not being able to take a tub bath the first few weeks.

Hope you start to feel better asap and I can't wait to see a picture of the newest village baby

**Michelle** · 08-02-2005, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by Missy
I wish I knew, all my deliveries were c-section. Wishing you fast healing.

Here too

**many houseapes** · 08-02-2005, 10:21 AM

Daphne, it sounds like you are doing everything right..the only thing that I could possibly suggest would be to apply a little more witch hazle to the stitches (more than what tucks has) ...evening primrose (softgels) seem to help make the skin more softer and will help the healing process. keep up with your vitamins water & rest....you'll get there. my first was 9lbs 3 1/4 ozs & I had torn massively after the doc did the episiotomy....funny, that my second was 9 lbs & i didn't tear at all..or w/ any of the others that were natural birth (#6 was a C- section)...the youngest 2 were born at home , and they were big babies too..the very youngest at 9lbs 10ozs....every birth is different, please don't let this experience get you down...you'll be okay

hugs to you.

**Kimberlina** · 08-02-2005, 10:21 AM

Yes, Kat, I should emphasize that the sitz bath and the nearly-hot water squirt bottle were definitely the best thing I could have done. Other than the number of stitches, your post is my thoughts exactly- not TOO much pain (no tylenol or anything) but not being able to take a bath stunk!

Hope you are feeling better soon, Daphne.

**Mom23boys** · 08-02-2005, 10:34 AM

I agree that every delivery is different. With Richard, I had the forceps and stitches. It was painful, but I don't think it lasted longer than a week or two.

I did tear with all three of the deliveries, but worse with Dakota. It is weird, but I had more stitches with him and didn't hurt as much. I was up and going almost immediately.

The hot water in the squirt bottle and sitz bath was wonderful. I think it really helped me get through it.

I hope you heal soon.

**dndylfe** · 08-02-2005, 11:10 AM

I remember reading in a pregnancy book before I had ds#1 that it took 9 months to make the baby and it may just take nine months before your body completely recovers from the ordeal.

This really helped my approach to recovery---I had a c-section and it took 8-9 weeks before the midwife pronounced me as healed enough to ummm... jump back in the sack.

It took many months to feel like a person again; but I definitely remember thinking, when will this belly go away??? And when will I start walking without wanting an old lady cane??? It'll get better, promise.

**Daphne** · 08-02-2005, 01:17 PM

I just left a message for the nurse at my doctor's office. I know she will tell me I'm doing everything right but I just need to hear it from her. I really just want to cry but I know that won't help at all!! Thanks for the advice on what you ladies did - it helps to know I'm not the only one. It just feels like it will be a lifetime before I'm better.

**psjkmom** · 08-02-2005, 01:52 PM

Daphne,
You go ahead and cry all you want. The hormones in addition to being exhausted, in addition to the pain make crying a totally resonable thing to do. AND it might make you feel better! After the birth of my first son, I considered it a good day if I didn't cry until after 5pm! It WILL get easier and easier with each day.
Emily