Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

I posted a few times last week about being overdue and wanting to avoid being induced. Well, the day before I finally went into labor on my own and after a grueling 21 hours of labor, had my beautiful baby boy, Grant William 8lb. 5 oz on Thursday, November 18th.

I am in love with him but scared to death about the trouble I'm having walking and the pain I feel right now ( 3 days post partum). During labor, they held my legs back by my head and I had a continous epidural for the pain for most of the labor. I had to have it redone at 9cm when the original one failed and I felt everything in the left side of my body. She also had to hold me open at 9.5cm to stretch to 10cm since I was stuck there for 3 hours and would not progress. The actual pushing part only took 30 minutes but I worry that the trauma might have fractured my pelvis or something.

I can't walk normally without feeling an intense pressure in my pelvis and having to limp everywhere I walk. For the first few days in the hospital, I needed a wheelchair and Im now using a cane just to get around my apartment.

I was hysterical crying today, wondering if the intensely long labor, epidural, or the fact that he was a big baby could have possibly caused permanent damage. Thank god my husband is home for a week from work to help but my hormones have just kicked in and I cant help but worry that something is really wrong.

Is this normal? Has anyone had trouble walking after a long labor 3 days later? I told the doctors about this in the hospital and all they had to say is "you just gave birth" and "youre probably just sore".

Here is a picture of baby Grant...TIA for any advice!!

Message edited 11/21/2010 7:48:28 PM.

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

Adorable!!! Congrats!
I don't remember having any trouble walking. I did feel really bad after my 2nd though, it lasted around 2 weeks.

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

I think it's too early to tell. If after a few weeks you are still experiencing this, def. call your dr. BTW, he is absolutely gorgeous!

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

I'm sorry you're in so much pain...I don't have any experience with this to give you any advice. I would speak with your Dr if you're not feeling better after a week though...

Your son is gorgeous - congratulations!

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

I am so sorry you feel this way. I think I had it fairly easy becaise I felt good afterwards. I think I would give it another few days and if it is still this bad, check back with your OB. Take it easy in the meantime!

Your little man is absolutely gorgeous. congrats.

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

Congrats he is adorable! I think if you are still feeling pain walking in the next few days call your dr.

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

1. Congratulations, your baby is gorgeous!

2. I had the same issue with my pelvis. I actually could not get in and out of bed without help for maybe ten days? I used a wheelchair in the hospital and the nurses all assumed I was a c/s. When I said that I wasn't they looked at me kind of funny. I also had to ask for a sponge bath b/c I did not think I would be able to stand in the shower . I had to also take the stairs one at a time for a while. I pushed for three hours so I think that was why I had a hard time. Your birth sounds pretty traumatic -- give it at least ten days and I bet you will start to feel better!

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

I would give it a week and see how you feel. With my first, I felt a lot of pressure for about a week after, because when he was in the birth canal they actually had to turn him around because he was coming out face-up and the doctor didn't want to deliver him that way Yeah, I know. When there's a lot of trauma to that area (In your case, being "held" open at 9.5, in my case turning the baby) there's bound to be a lot of pain. Like I said, I would give it a week.

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

First, congrats! Your DS is adorable!

With my first baby, my epidural stopped working on the right side of my body and when they tried to get it working again they positioned me in such a way that all my weight was on my right leg for hours. After I gave birth, I couldn't walk on that leg and had shooting pain from my lower back down to my toes. It took a week of hobbling around before I started to feel normal again

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

You are only 3 days out, so give it a little time still, but trust your instincts as well.

I herniated a disc giving birth and it took them 3 months to finally listen to me that things were not "normal" and my body was not "adjusting to having given birth".

Good luck!!

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

Have no experience with the walking trouble you're having- so sorry you're in so much pain! I think I'd wait it out a couple days and if it's not getting any better, I'd call your OB.

Your son is absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Congratulations!

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

First of all Congratulations! What a beautiful baby!

I had a very hard time walking for over a week after birth. I had a 3rd degree tear, and had to have help walking basically everywhere. I also had intense pressure in my pelvis, which made me feel like I had absolutely no strength. Nurses had to help me to the bathroom, and I couldn't get out of bed to change my baby in the hospital, or at home for a few days...my DH had to do it all. In my case, I pushed for ten minutes, and DD came out so fast, and I tore badly. I would give it a good week/ten days and see how you feel then. You may still hurt, but should see a big improvement. Motrin helped me A LOT, and I was told it was safe while BFing.

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

Congrats and welcome - your dc is gorgeous!

As others have said, I would also give it a little more time because giving birth is pretty traumatic - I tore pretty badly (3rd degree) and had a lot of trouble for the first two weeks, but after a week or so, it started to improve. If you're not starting to feel better in a week or so, I would call the doc - there may be something else going on - but until then, it's going to be really hard to tell. I had trouble walking and sitting - I was so uncomfortable and very, very sore. After my epi, I couldn't walk at all for almost a day - my legs were numb, then weak like jello, then just sore, but really sore. Giving birth does a lot of damage down there! Definitely take some advil or aleve and feel better soon!

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

Posted by shapla79

First, congrats! Your DS is adorable!

With my first baby, my epidural stopped working on the right side of my body and when they tried to get it working again they positioned me in such a way that all my weight was on my right leg for hours. After I gave birth, I couldn't walk on that leg and had shooting pain from my lower back down to my toes. It took a week of hobbling around before I started to feel normal again

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

I don't have any experience since I was a csection, but just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS!! Welcome to mommyhood, your DS is perfect!!!

Just mention your pain and concern when you go see your doctor at your follow up visit. My friend fractured her pelvis giving birth and described many of the same issues as you, but she said she couldn't move her legs at all. Feel better!

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

No advice

but HOLY CANOLI, HE's GORGEOUS!

Re: Post Partum Walking Trouble- Please tell me this is normal! (w/ newborn pics)

I had a C-section but spent 12 hours waiting on a terrible hospital bed (my waters were broken and I could barely move) and my recovery was terrible, I was unable to walk for about 4 weeks, but I had terrible sciatica. I took painkillers everyday for six months. When we hit the six month point, I was actually feeling a lot better, and now at 9 months, I am feeling about 98% back to my normal self (with some lingering back problems) I say get yourself to a physiotherapist or chiropractor to see if they can help you get some relief.

Congrats on the new baby and good luck!