My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

Keeping stitches clean

15 replies

Sparrowlegs248 · 12/02/2017 09:35

Post birth. Had episiotomy yesterday am, narrowly avoiding emcs. Surgeon states to keep stitches clean, very clean.

How on earth do you do this? I am bleeding heavily. Still in hospital atm but don't have a shower at home, although a shower attachment on the bath so could stand and rinse. But there'll be blood again within minutes.

What's the best way to clean the area and avoid infection?

OP posts:
Report
Trulyamnearanear · 12/02/2017 13:26

Use a sports cap water bottle and fill with warm water and douse yourself very time you go to the toilet. Then paper or a soft towel to dry.

Report
meeerkat · 12/02/2017 13:29

Sensitive moist toilet wipes, for wee and poo, keeps the area cleaner than dry tissue.

Report
Imnotaslimjim · 12/02/2017 13:33

Rinsing with boiled, cooled water after every time you go the toilet will be sufficient.

When my DS was born I had a lot of stitches. He was taken back to hospital at a few days old and kept in for over a week. I showered once in that time (he was very ill and I wouldn't leave him) though I did clean the stitches after every toilet visit. I managed to avoid infection even after all that.

Report
plimsolls · 12/02/2017 13:38

Squeezey water bottle or plastic jug near the loo.

Waterwipes or similar when they've healed enough to touch.

Shower attachment in bath would be good.

Swoosh water around with your hand if you are actually in the bath. You can kind of swoosh the water with enough force to sweep the area but without making contact with the stitches.

Use a hairdryer on cool to dry as it's important not to leave them too wet after washing.

Change maternity pad v regularly.

Wash hands before (and after) handling the pads.

I used to put lavender oil in my bath water too. Apparently it helps keep antiseptic. I think tea tree does too but do a bit of googling to find out the "rules". I can't remember now but there were certain types you shouldn't use and particular ways you were meant to dissolve the oil.

Congrats Flowers

Report
herethereandeverywhere · 12/02/2017 13:43

Change your pads lots and lots and lots. Clean wound carefully after every toilet trip. It cost me an absolute fortune but despite my episiotomy breaking down (the stitches coming open leaving a gaping wound) I did not get an infection.

I was warned against drying with a hairdryer as it blows bacteria and detritus at the wound.

Oh and don't be bashful about asking for pain relief. I was far too meek and suffered in silence - if paracetamol is not cutting it then say so.

Report
Laineymc7 · 12/02/2017 14:26

Order yourself a toilet bidet from amazon. Use warm water and salt a few times a day. Pay dry with clean face cloth each time. This really helped my healing and was soothing. Congratulations. X

Report
Sparrowlegs248 · 12/02/2017 15:39

Thanks all. Really paranoid about it. Have got precautionary anti biotics and haven't yet been spoken to about the wound so don't really know how bad it is etc.

OP posts:
Report
Cakescakescakes · 12/02/2017 15:42

Had major tear and also episiotomy over course of two births. No problems with stitches by doing this...

Add 5-6 drops into a shallow warm (not hot) bath and sit in it for 5-10 mins every evening for about 10 days. Then lie on a towel on your bed for 10 mins and air dry. The tea tree is brilliant at keeping infection etc at bay and is very soothing with any pain.

Report
Cakescakescakes · 12/02/2017 15:42

Sorry should read 5-6 drops of tea tree oil. Seems like only a little but it's very strong.

Report
meeerkat · 12/02/2017 19:43

Also a daily bath with warm (not hot) water and salt helps.

I was anxious about getting into water with a wound but it didn't feel as bad as I thought, and salt helps to heal quicker!

Report
Believeitornot · 12/02/2017 19:44

My midwife suggested rinsing the area (during a wee) with water and a drop or two of tea tree oil. Plus a small drop on my sanitary towel. This worked really well for me after a third degree tear

Report
RedBugMug · 12/02/2017 19:49

my midwife said to shower/rinse twice a day.
change pad regularly, no longer than 2 hours.
good luck and congrats to squishy baby!

Report
BreatheDeep · 12/02/2017 19:49

My midwife told me to shower it twice a day and use kitchen roll to pat gently dry. Change pad regularly.
Soak for 5-10 minutes to soothe with lavender oil in the bath water. Don't soak for longer as it may make stitches dissolve faster

Report
Ohhhhbother · 15/02/2017 23:01

Witch hazel on your pads (put some in the freezer if your swollen and bruised) will help, and swishing with water. And if you can get those large square pads that look like puppy pads to sit without underwear on to let a bit of air in I found that helped a lot.

Report
Carsearching · 16/02/2017 22:54

I would definitely use your shower attachment to rinse after a no. 2! I found it very sore to wipe properly due to the stiches so this allowed me to ensure the already was thoroughly clean. My midwife also advised holding a pad over my stiches when doing no.2 if I was worried, this was tricky...

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.