Should You Consult Your Gyno About the Postpartum Pelvic Pain?
15 May 2019
The birth of a baby is a sweet and awaited moment in the life of a woman. But after the child is born, a woman’s body undergoes various changes and processes that aren’t very pleasant or comfortable. Some of them are temporary and will disappear with time. Some are here to stay with you forever.
After labor, the entire body of a woman is a sore spot. The delivery of the baby demands from it all that it can handle and sometimes even more. But after a while, everything heals and you understand that happiness to be a mother was totally worth it. Something heals in a couple of days, something takes longer time to heal.
Pelvic pain after labor is quite an expected and understandable sensation, but how to react if it doesn’t go away and keeps bringing discomfort? Let’s observe its mechanisms, the causes for its appearance and when you should talk about it to your doctor.
When Postpartum Pelvic Pain Is Normal
It’s truly amazing how a human body transforms and what it’s capable of when it comes to labor. But who said that it’s easy? Pain and other problems are a price a woman pays for the precious gift to be a mother. Below are some of the reasons for pelvic pain after labor.
Obstetric injuries in labor
As a child fights its way into this world, a woman’s body assists it - the bones move aside and the ligaments stretch to their maximum. Very often, this causes micro tears and tears that need to be stitched. Naturally, the process of healing these injuries takes time, and pain in this process is a completely normal and logical thing.
Uterine contractions
After labor, the uterus, stretched during pregnancy, contracts to return back to its natural size. Usually, this process takes up to 2 weeks. The pain may become especially strong during breastfeeding. It intensifies due to the action of oxytocin - a hormone that is released when a baby sucks your breast. This is how breastfeeding helps the uterus restore faster after labor. Therefore, this pain is also normal.
Caesarian section
Caesarian section is abdominal surgery, so it’s natural that your belly would hurt afterward. Your body was cut and stitched; it needs time to heal. It’s very important to sanitize your stitches properly and always keep them clean. As it heals with time, the pain will disappear.
Postpartum D&C
Sometimes after labor, some tissues are left inside the uterus. These tissues need to be removed. An ultrasound exam helps to see if there’s anything left. If yes, the D&C procedure is appointed. It’s a painful and traumatic procedure similar to surgical abortion. Naturally, the body will hurt after this.
When Is It Time to Visit The Doctor
If a month has passed since the birth of your baby and you still feel pelvic pain - go to your doctor. The pain can be a gastrointestinal issue radiating into your pelvis. In this case, maintaining a healthy diet may help, but if it doesn’t, you will need the help of a specialist.
If fever and bloody purulent discharge join in, you may need emergency help. These are the symptoms of infection caused by bacteria or fungi. Don’t waste your time on doubts because it can be dangerous to your life. Your baby needs a healthy and happy mother.
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