All mums who have has an Episiotomy!

[Full of hope!]

I had an Episiotomy during labour and i'm in a lot of pain with it now

The stitches feel really tight, it aches when I stand or walk for too long and hurts when I go to the toilet! I'm taking Paracetamol and Ibuprofen for the pain.

Is all this a normal sign of the healing process? My midwife is coming today so will mention it to her to see what she says but thought i'd ask you guys in the mean time!

I've had a good cry this morning because it hurts so much and it's making me miserable!

 

[happy-chick]

Yeah im afriad to say it does hurt but it doesnt last too long, it should start to ease soon and not be so painful but you need to take it easy. It takes 6-8weeks to fully heal apparantly.

Have plenty of hot baths, this will help to soften the stitched and make them less tight and more comfortable and will also keep the area clean. My MW suggested putting maternity pads in the freezer then using those but I never tried it to be honest. I found sitting on a nice cushioned pillow helped too.
When going for a wee try pouring a jug of warm water on urself as u wee nd that will make it less acidic and wont sting so much

 

[Kimbo]

hey i know what you mean about the achiness when standing for too long.. i wondered if it was normal too..

http://www.pregnancyforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=65882

xx

 

[Full of hope!]

Thanks girls Good to know that it's all normal.

My MW has been and she had a look, my stitches have started to dissolve so the cut is gaping slightly which she said is causing the pain. There is no sign of infection yet but she said I need to look out for it! She advised that I keep having my baths, take the painkillers and plenty of rest.

I didn't think that it would be so painful but ouch!

On a good note, Jacob is back up to his birth weight today, he's put n 10oz in 4 days the little guzzler!

 

[Babylicious]

like jo said sitting on a cushion does help, if it's painful to wee - wee in the shower I know it sounds gross but it does help xx

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

like jo said sitting on a cushion does help, if it's painful to wee - wee in the shower I know it sounds gross but it does help xx

And to poo hold a sanitary towel over them, helps if you feel them pulling when you are straining (sorry if a TMI!!!!)

All sounds normal hun, mine probably took 8weeks ish to heal (though i tore badly as well ). I found the end of the day it hurt the most or if I overdid things ie too much walking, another excuse to take it easy for a bit

 

[amzhunny]

horrible as it sounds but i couldnt wee unless i was in the bath!!!!!!!! My stitches really hurt - hope your MW checked them and they are ok. They do take a while to heal well mine did anyway.

couldnt walk for long either but did find sitting on cushions as has been suggested did help...

 

[poppy160]

I had an episiotomy aswell + a 2nd degree tear and I feel really lucky in that it doesn't really hurt alot now, just stings like crazy when weeing. When it was really unbearable in the beginning, my Midwife gave me a blow up cushion which really helps, as the other girls have suggested. Hope you feel better soon