Post Birth problems, anybody else? Advice needed.

[staceym04]

Hi all!

I'm new to this forum and this is my first post.

I fell pregnant last year and from 8 weeks my hips began to feel weak, I linked this to a problem I'd always suffered from being young and was given exercises from the physio to help. They didn't help at all and from 16 weeks I used crutches, 20 weeks I was signed off work and from 28 week I was resigned to a wheelchair, not how I had thought my first pregnancy would go! It was the worst pain i'd ever felt and after codeine not doing anything for me I was given tramadol and made to see the consultant every 3 weeks for regular check ups. I was told it was just SPD and it would go after childbirth. I eventually gave birth on new years eve after being induced for a second time, they tried a week prior on xmas eve but baby did not want to come! Thankfully my labour was only 7 hours and uncomplicated and I was home only 8 hours later after a quick sleep. I did have a epidural which didn't work, although the midwife didn't believe me until she tried to stitch me up and I nearly jumped off the bed in agony! I had to have 4 more anesthetic injections just so she could mend the tear.

After my symptoms not clearing up and the physios I've seen being so confused with how I was not getting any better, I was sent to a rhuematolgist who linked all my past problems with my back, hips and knees and diagnosed me with HMS. It all makes sense now, the pain in pregnancy, the quick labour etc.

My problem is, I still don't seem to be getting any better. I still can't leave the house or drive without having my medication, still on the tramadol and now naproxen.

My main concern is that my tear is still causing me problems. My sex life is basically non existent as it just hurts to much. The stitches were still there 3 month post birth and know that with our condition they sometime don't dissolve and wounds don't heal or scars can be more prominent. Has anybody else had this problem? And how long can I expect it all to go back to normal?

I'm working full time again, so I guess that isn't helping with the pain and tiredness but I've really got no choice financially.

Any advice would be appreciated

Stacey xx

[barkingmad]

Hi Stacy,

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry you had such a hard time. Your story is similar to my own...so I fully empathise.

it really is important that you pace your life out, working and having young children is exhausting for any mother but add HMS into the mix and life can be really difficult if not impossible

with regards to the problems below; go back to your GP. Everything you have said about healing and wounds is correct...although my stitches fell out the next day and due to lack of successful anaesthesia I didnt tell them. You shouldnt just wait and see if things will improve and especially as it is affecting your intimate life...go and see your GP and take some info off website.

It used to take me 18months plus to physically, emotionally and mentally recover from pregnancy and labour ...and I didnt know I had EDS back then, I wish I had because I may have done things a lot more differently!

Have a read through the forum. Once you have been a forum user for a while, actively posting etc, you can request access to the personal and sensitive section where more discussions on the subjects you have raised are covered.

welcome again

[staceym04]

Hi Donna,

Thanks for the reply! I will definitely mention it next time i'm there, which will probably be this week, feel like i'm never away from the Drs! lol.

This site has helped a lot and I've got some great advice from other people posts

Stacey x

[JessicaNJpa]

Hi,
All sounds familiar! I also took a lot longer to heal from the tear and had some internal tenderness for about 6 months, after that no problems. The tear completely separated again (stitches dissolved too quickly for me) but that hasn't ever hurt. Curious to hear what your midwife/ pelvic physical therapist says. (Sometime pelvic floor PT can help this) Hope things are looking up and you're getting enough sleep!!

[Milford_Cubicle]

My main concern is that my tear is still causing me problems. My sex life is basically non existent as it just hurts to much. The stitches were still there 3 month post birth and know that with our condition they sometime don't dissolve and wounds don't heal or scars can be more prominent. Has anybody else had this problem? And how long can I expect it all to go back to normal?

It might not - I had pretty major issues following an episiotomy and required surgery at a later date to correct the "mess". If you're still having problems then do ask for a referral to an obx & gynae specialist so they can assess it for you.

[missmonkey]

How many weeks/months post birth are you now?
My tear took ages to heal and my hips slowly for better, but every time I have my monthly now I get sore hips

[Retro]

Hi MissMonkey,

There are threads dedicated to hormones on the forum. Try the search facility

Lindsey
Site Admin