rectal pain 1 yr pp

I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else:

I'm now almost 13 months postpartum. My periods are horrible and have been ever since giving birth. When I have my periods I get the exact same pain that I did while I was in labor. I had always thought that I had experienced "back labor", but now I'm not too sure. The pain I felt during labor was in my rectum. I couldn't lay down, I couldn't sit, basically I couldn't get in any position that helped relieve the pain. I did not have back pain during labor, just butt pain. And it was pain beyond my wildest imagination. And unfortuantely my epidural did not work. I ended up delivering my daughter on a birthing stool - no way I could have done it laying down. Now, and ever since, when ever I get my periods I get that intense rectal cramping that I expreienced in labor. Its the exact same pain.It only lasts for 10-30 seconds (thank god)but when the pain hits it stops me dead in my tracks. I cannot move it hurts so bad. I also get this horrible rectal pain during intercourse - it must be when he presses against my cervix. So we do not have sex too often anymore. I've asked all the mothers that I know if they had the same pain during labor and they've all said no.

I've seen my doc about this and she doesn't have a clue. She said that the rectal painduring labor was definitely back labor, but from eveyone I've spoken too and things I've read online it doesn'tsound like back labor at all. She's referring me to a physical therepist to hopefully "get things moved back into their correct places". We'll see. I'm willing to try anything at this point.

Any insight is greatly appreciated.

The rectal pain during labor was your babys head moving into position. I know that god-awful pain, but I'm only 1 week post-partum, and I get it a little (but less intense) during a BM.

Your doc is most-likely right. Your body goes through some serious stuff during labor. Your little one probably pushed something over, and it's putting pressure where the pain is.

Babies do damage. Period. My mother tells me I stretched the ligaments (ligaments, right? Or something?) that hold her bladder up. She's un-even now, and she can't fully empty when she urinates. All thanks to me.  

I hope you get better soon!

I wanted to post an update... just in case any one searches this forum for solutions to this problem.

Not much progress in finding a cause or solution since my original post. I have spoken on the phone with the physical therapist, but she is so booked that it will be several months until I am able to see her.

I did have my yearly exam with thesame midwife that delivered my daughter and told her about my rectal pain. Before she examined me she said that it's most likely that my uterus is flopped backwards - that or it is caused by my IUD. So she examined me. My uterus is definitely not flopped backwards, it is very much in the correct position. So she 'tested' my kegels and she said that I have fabulous kegel strength - especially for someone who has had a child. So she was baffled. She said she doubts that it has anything to do with my uterus at all. She also said that she didn't think the physical therapist would do much help. She said that she would consult with one of the OB docs and give me a call the next day. So, after speaking with the OB doc - who was also baffled - they decided that it must have something to do with the muscles surrounding my tail bone. And then I was referred to a chiropractor.

I have not yet been to a chiropractor - the one she recommended does not take my insurance and I cannot afford to pay out of pocket. So hopefully I can find another who does.

So that's where I am as of now.

The last few times we had intercourse I actually did not have any pain. But I'm not getting my hopes up just yet.I'm thinking some good old fashioned exersize and weight loss may help. I still have about 15 lbs of pregnancy weight that I haven't lost. Perhaps if I do get back in shape this problem will go away =) One can only hope!

Had it after two of my births, just one week postpartum this time, but got rid of the pain/pressure thru my osteopathy/craniotherapist.

Well, it's been almost 2 years since my original post and a year and a half since my last update. Since then I had my IUD removed. Removing the IUD significantly improved the cramping/pain in my rectum, but did not make it go away completely. I still get it now, but it's not nearly as bad. I'm also pregnant again, so it'll be interesting to see what happens after I deliver this baby.

Hey Bryrony,

I had been through the same....and yes removal of IUD ( which had perforated my uterus and was lying in abdomen somewhere) did make a great difference. But I still get the pain whenever I do strenous work or exercise. Hope regular exercising will help. Lets see.

Did you go to chiropractor???

Btw...Congratulation for the second on way

Quoting Bryrony:" I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone else: I'm now almost 13 months postpartum. My periods ... [snip!] ... back into their correct places". We'll see. I'm willing to try anything at this point. Any insight is greatly appreciated."

It sounds like i had the same thing during labour of my son who was my first pregnancy ( i am expecting another and petrified of having this pain again) I have never found anyone else who experienced the same excruciating pain in my rectum/anus that i had during labour! I even had it after having my son and still get it now and again even now my son is 5! No doctor or midwives have ever given me any explanation or help with this and i know that it was nothing to do with back labour or pressure from the baby but i dont know what it is either! I am desperate to find out as i really really do not want to go through it again with my current pregnancy! Im so frightened of that pain. Labour its self is a separate pain and bearable, nothing compared to the other pain! :/ If you find anything out please let me know! Thank you  

Quoting vmp2610:" It sounds like i had the same thing during labour of my son who was my first pregnancy ( i am expecting ... [snip!] ... a separate pain and bearable, nothing compared to the other pain! :/ If you find anything out please let me know! Thank you  "

Ive been reading that rectum pain or "butt pain" is linked to back to back/born facing up babies if this helps.....my son was back to back right near my due date and im pretty sure i delivered him facing upwards but i need to check for definite this could have something to do with the pain and possible my son did some damage being born some way which is why i had the pains after having him and so long later (5 years!)