If you are experiencing issues like incontinence or continued pain, your healthcare provider might recommend Kegel exercises to help restore muscle tone around the perineum. As with all surgical procedures, infection is possible following an episiotomy. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room if you experience an infection such as:.
Keep in mind that in addition to infection, there are other complications that can occur after an episiotomy—some of which can be serious. If you have any unusual or concerning symptoms, or even if you just have questions about aftercare, don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Kettle, C. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
National Library of Medicine. Episiotomy after care. Updated April 18, Rev Bras Enferm. Frohlich J, Kettle C. Perineal care. BMJ Clin Evid. Published Mar Steen M, Cummins B. How to repair an episiotomy. Nurs Stand. Your Privacy Rights. These can often be left to heal naturally, depending on their size, position and if they are bleeding. Your midwife will advise you on this, and how to take care of the injury. Not all tears require stitches — it will depend on your personal circumstances. You will be advised to have stitches to repair an episiotomy, tears that involve the muscle layer, those that are bleeding, or if the alignment of the tear needs adjusting.
Dissolvable stitches are used so that you do not need to have them removed. These can take up to six weeks to dissolve, and you should speak to your midwife if you are having any problems or pain associated with your stitches.
Read more about third and fourth degree tears. Keep the area clean and dry. Shower daily and keep a separate towel for your perineum. Try to avoid soaps and gels with strong scents. Change your pads regularly, about every 4 hours.
Always wash your hands before and after changing your pad. If it stings when you pass urine, pouring a jug of warm water over the area while you pee can help. Keep your own jug separate for this. Sitting on the toilet backwards can ease stinging caused by urine passing over the injury it sounds strange but it can really help!
Putting feet on a small foot stool to alter the angle of the rectum can be helpful in protecting the pelvic floor when emptying the bowel. Apply ice packs for 10 minutes every 4 hours if the area is painful. A few frozen peas in a plastic bag covered in a tea towel is soothing when at home. Place directly onto the perineum.
An episiotomy is a cut, or incision, in your perineum. Your perineum is the tissue between the vagina and anus. The cut is made before the baby's head is delivered during childbirth. It can help the doctor deliver the baby. After your baby is born, the doctor closes the incision with stitches. These stitches don't need to be removed. They will dissolve in 1 to 2 weeks or longer. You may notice pieces of the stitches on your sanitary pad or on toilet paper. This is normal. Recovery can be uncomfortable.
The amount of pain you have depends on how deep and long the incision is. You may have pain when you sit, walk, urinate, or have bowel movements. If you get enough fibre and fluids and use stool softeners or laxatives, you may have less pain during bowel movements. Using ice packs or sitting in warm water a sitz bath several times a day may also help with pain.
Most women say they have less pain or discomfort after the first week. Most episiotomies heal in 3 weeks. But it may take longer. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover.
But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. There are things you can do to make pooing more comfortable. Put a clean pad at the side of your wound and press gently as you poo. This can take some of the pressure off the wound. Try not to get constipated.
Drink lots of water. Eat foods that are rich in fibre. These include vegetables, fruit, wholegrain oats, wholegrain bread and pasta. Taking a laxative might help. Laxatives are medicines used to treat constipation. Laxatives can soften the poo, making it easier to pass. There are no strict guidelines about when to start having sex again after giving birth. Some experts feel it is a good idea to wait until your bleeding has stopped, to reduce the risk of infection.
Remember, it is possible to become pregnant again soon after giving birth. If this is not what you want, talk to your GP about contraception. Most women find that the first time they have sex after an episiotomy is uncomfortable.
If you try to have sex before the episiotomy or any other tears have healed, it can be very painful. This is quite normal. The pain will improve with time. Tell your partner how you feel.
If sex is uncomfortable, let them know. If you are breastfeeding, your vagina may feel drier than usual. This can make sex uncomfortable or even painful. Your sex drive may be lower because of hormonal changes. Trying different positions can sometimes help reduce the discomfort you feel.
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