Perineal Swelling...and other things?

[bella99]

Baby girl was born last Thursday, 1/20, 8lbs 6oz.  I had a tear, the midwife said more than a first degree tear, less than a second degree tear.  Baby came out sunny side up.  I've been up and around, with some pain and discomfort, but not much.

The swelling I had in my labia immediately following the delivery is gone, and was gone pretty quickly.  But the swelling of my perineum still seems pretty significant.  Of course, I had stitches, so it makes sense that the swelling would still be evident, but it doesn't seem to have changed significantly in the last 5 days.  Is this normal?  How long before the swelling really starts to go down?

 I had a 2nd degree tear two years ago with my other daughter, but can't really remember how long it took for the swelling to really start to go down.

Also, I keep reading everywhere about preventing constipation, etc. etc., but I don't have that problem.  My bowel movements since delivery have been loose stools (and I'm having some trouble "holding it" as embarrassing as that is).  Does anyone else recall having loose stools following birth rather than constipation?

[kitkat5505]

I had my babies 2 weeks ago with a 1st degree tear and my perineum still feels swollen a bit. I can't remember with DS#2 how long it took for my 2nd degree tear to feel normal.