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!