New type of pain after childbirth

[Ameliabear]

Hello,

I’m new here. I’ve had pelvic pain for the last 13 years. I used to see a physical therapist years ago but stopped. I had my second child 6 weeks ago. On Tuesday I had this awful pain at my pelvis/leg socket on my left side. I was crying and it was only better if I laid on my stomach. I also had the urgency to pee constantly. That day I have my 6 weeks doctor appointment so when I went she did a test for UTI. It came back negative. She told me to go to a primary care for my symptoms but it’s hard to find an appoint soon. I’ve been doing some internal exercises with my dilator and I think the symptoms I’m having is connected. I don’t really have pain anymore but the urgency to pee is still there and it’s really hard to live this way. Does anyone know what this could be? Should I just go to a physical therapist rather than going to a regular doctor first? I’m afraid of prolapse and things of that nature happening.

[grannydoug]

I really think you should see your doctor as soon as you can. Especially as it is still only a few weeks since you had your baby. Like everything else regarding our health 'the sooner the better'. Maybe you should also stop using the dilator for the time being.? However I've no idea what it is supposed to do but it's worth asking yourself the question "is it really helping?". I'd be politely assertive and push for an appointment with your doctor. Even a telephone one would be better than nothing currently. I've needed to see the practice nurse several times regarding my prolapse in the last few weeks and as phone calls didn't get answered I ended up writing a good old-fashioned letter explaining everything. I got in for face-to-face appointments straightaway. I'm sorry you're going through all this but do get help and information. You don't want this continuing especially with a new baby etc to deal with.

[Alaine1 Administrator]

Hi Ameliabear,

I’m so sorry to hear you are struggling. I would second what grannydoug has said. As you are so soon after having your second baby I would contact your midwife as you my benefit from some pelvic physiotherapy with a women’s health physiotherapist. They are used to working with women of all ages and pelvic pain conditions etc and usually hold clinics especially for women who’ve had children recently but are experiencing pain and/or bladder related problems. Have you had your 6 week follow up with the midwife or GP? Your urgency could simply be down to the fact you are recently in the postnatal period but I’d ask your GP ( or another one in your practice) to send a urine sample away to the hospital to be cultured. When you ring up the practice explain this to the receptionist as not all urine infections show up using a dipstick test. I regularly get infections and I’ve only ever had two show up this way. The rest were confirmed via the lab. If it comes back clear then great but if not you will know next time that other urine infections might follow the same pattern. If your GP is difficult over it try the midwife whilst you ask for physiotherapy. Unfortunately sometimes we need to be persistent with medical professionals, I know it’s a hard thing to do as I’ve had to do it many times myself. I’d also stop using the dilator for now until you have been assessed by the physiotherapist.

But if you feel worse especially if you develop a fever etc especially over the weekend don’t hesitate in going to out of hours or A & E especially as you have recently had a baby or contact 111 who might decide you need to be seen by the obstetrics team. I’ve been myself during the pandemic as well as attending hospital appts regularly over the last 7 months (after they were stopped during the first part of the pandemic) and they are very safe. I hope this helps you