I gave birth two weeks ago and I am not sure as to how recovery is supposed to go,?

Question

I gave birth two weeks ago. As this is my first baby I am not sure as to how recovery is supposed to go, so please don't judge me. First question: Anyone have a catheter when they delivered and later got an infection because of it? If so what were your symptoms and how did you get over it? After delivering everything down there hurt so I wasn't sure what the pain was from. Aftering using a mirror I realized that my urethra is really swollen- like the size of one of those rubber balls that come out of a kids quarter machine. Is this normal? Second question- two weeks out how heavy should the bleeding be and should there be any foul odor at all? I still notice little gushes of bright red blood in the toilet when I go to the bathroom and I am still using maxi pads. Also I notice that there is kind of an odor that is different then menstrual blood. Third question: I had a 2nd degree episiotomy. How long does it take for the stitches to dissolve and how long after delivery did you have sex

Answer 1

Triple OUCH!! Well sometimes you can have a bit of an odor while bleeding. You havent had a period in darn near a year so your body is cleaning house. It depends what kind of stitches you had put in for your episiotomy. Sometimes you have to go in and get them removed. With the dissolvable kind it takes about a week or so to dissolve. Some of the things you are saying really should be brought up to your doctor. Especially the really swollen urethra.
Talk to your doc...he/she will have better knowledge than anyone on here. Good Luck and Congrats!

Answer 2

Sounds like you have a serious infection around the urethra...that's not normal. I don't think getting a catheter during birth is normal either unless you were already experiencing problems before or during labor. Getting an infection from a catheter sounds like it was inserted incorrectly and/or it was not clean. You should see a Urologist, not your OB/Gyn.

I recall bleeding for a couple of weeks and it being so bad at times having to use my baby's diapers! The bleeding should stop soon. If you are passing large blood clots, see a doctor.

The episiotomy should have healed by now but you will probably still have some discomfort where the stitches were. I haven't heard of drs using the stitches that must be removed in a long time, they should dissolve on their own...and this is something they should have told you when you were discharged.

As far as sex is concerned, wait at least 6 weeks or until you feel comfortable. I can't imagine with the problems you are having that would feel comfortable right now.

Answer 3

I bled for 6 weeks with all 3 of my babies, so that is normal. As far as the urethra being swollen, I have never had that. Sounds like something you need to talk to the dr about. Could be from the catheter. But with episiotomy its going to hurt alot. It did for me, and I was paranoid for a while to have sex. You are supposed to wait 6 weeks, but I think I waited a little longer, because it just didnt feel comfortable. Still hurt a little. The stitches take a couple of weeks to dissolve if I remember correctly.

Answer 4

I never had a catheter but I think they can get infected. You should probably ask your doctor on that one. Are you sure it's urethra that is swollen and not your vagina? That's huge for a urethra.

Bleeding should be like a period at this point- little clots are okay but there shouldn't be a weird odor. When I had a weird odor I found out I had little pieces of retained placenta. They could have made me really sick but fortunately they came out on their own.

I had a 2nd degree (almost 3rd degree) tear. We had sex at 2 1/2 weeks postpartum. I probably wasn't supposed to but it didn't really hurt. I lost my last stitch at 4 weeks. They don't necessarily "dissolve" but enough of it dissolves that they come undone. You sometimes find them when you are washing yourself in the shower.

Answer 5

Hi there- congrats on your new baby! I didn't have a catheter or epesiotomy, so I can't answer those. The swelling of the urethra doesn't sound normal, though, I'd ask your doctor/midwife.

As for the bleeding, yes, it's normal to still bleed at 2 weeks post partum. I believe there was an odor, too... and there will be discharge that lasts months and months (8 months for me!)

Answer 6

NO!! Call the doctor if it smells funny and that swollen tissue thing! The episiotomy shouldn't be healed but it should be better than when you first delivered. The bleeding varies from woman to woman, I think I did for about 5 weeks after my first baby and as for how long to wait to have sex, Doc might tell you 6 weeks but whenever is comfortable for you (be careful you don't go to that check up pregnant again).

Answer 7

It took me a long time to heal after my delivery. I had a second degree as well. I literallycould not walk well for over 4 weeks.

Bleeding is still normal at this stage. If you smell something foul though you should definitely get checked out.

Answer 8

i can answer your 2nd question. the bleeding can last 2-5 weeks and yes it does have a foul odor. i know it sucks! you also shouldnt have sex till your 6 week check up! i had stitches also and tried to have sex after 2 weeks and oh my it hurt, it also tore me again. so yea you should wait! good luck with the new baby! hope my answers helped a little

Answer 9

I had a catheter for 5 days because my daughter's delivery damaged the bladder. I was bleeding heavy for several weeks after delivery. Yes it had a different odor. We waited 5 weeks after because I couldn't last 6.

Yes it hurt like hell for several weeks after my delivery. I developed fibroid tumors I discovered later.

Check with your doctor.

Answer 10

please visit your gynae....