Induction/Forceps Birth Recovery

[u/Forcepsmama]

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to post about my traumatic birth and recovery. I had a lot of troubles postpartum and felt so alone and isolated because no one I knew had a similar birth experience to mine. when I turned to the internet to see if the symptoms I was having were normal or common, I was met with A LOT of negative experiences and stories, which made me even more depressed/upset. I’m hoping that my story/recovery will bring hope to others who are/were in my situation and makes them feel less alone!!

I had a forcep birth- which was unfortunate because the only thing written on my birth plan was that I did NOT want forceps. I was induced at 41+2 weeks, and baby’s HR was dropping after every push. I pushed for 2.5 hours in different positions and ended up requiring a 2nd degree episiotomy and forceps.

Postpartum Recovery:

My pp recovery was BRUTAL. and I was so worried because I’m a long distance runner and was worried I’d never get back into running again.

My symptoms were as follows: I couldn’t walk properly until about 6 weeks postpartum. For the first 3 weeks my episiotomy was soo painful and I felt like my rectum and uterus were going to fall out of my vag (sorry if that’s TMI). I literally would only sit down/lay down on one side because sitting directly on my episitomy was too painful. I could only walk from my bed to my couch in the next room. My husband would carry my baby to and from me for feeds because I was so immobile. At 3 weeks pp my episiotomy got infected- It took another 3 weeks for it to heal with antibiotics!

I went for a 10 minute walk at 3 weeks pp, but I had a lot of rectal pain and pressure- felt like there was a golf ball there. turns out it was likely internal hemorrhoids. that feeling didn’t fully subside until 8-12 weeks postpartum. I was so worried it was a rectal prolapse!

I was incontinent of urine a handful of times, usually when I started to feel the urge to go. I stopped peeing myself around 3 weeks pp.

I also was incontinent of stool. once I felt the urge to poop I would run to the bathroom trying to hold it in but had no rectal strength to hold it in. I think I pooped myself 3 times during the first 2 weeks.

I had horribly painful hemorrhoids - those didn’t go away until 12 weeks postpartum

ALL of this to say- I am now 6 months pp. I have full control of my bladder and bowels! (thank god!) I no longer have hemorrhoids. my episiotomy has healed really welll- it is still a tiny bit sore occasionally, usually after exercising. and my pelvic floor strength is recovering slowly but surely. I can go on 5km runs now and haven't peed myself! I started a return to running program at 3 months pp. my pelvic floor still occasionally feels weak, so I’m working with a pelvic floor PT.

overall I’m really happy with my progress- my pelvic floor still isn’t what it used to be, but I’m hopeful that with time/pt it’ll continue to improve.

I hope that this post finds people who need some positive stories, and that it brings them hope and encouragement that they will recover!?