Infected episiotomy wound

[ElenorRigby]

Hi all

I gave birth a week ago, the midwife paid a visit today, she inspected my stitches and advised me that it had become infected but not badly so atm.
She took a swab which will take 3-4 days to analyze and said if the soreness and infection gets worse I should go to my doctor ASAP for anti-biotics.
Im inclined to go to my doctor and get the anti-biotics tomorrow and not wait for a possible deterioration in the infection.

What do people think?

Anyone have any tips to control the infection?

Thanks in Advance

Elenor

[lilymolly]

get the anitbiotics. but still check what the swab shows, because you may need to change your ab.
I took fluconazole at first, then was changed to metronidzole (I think) once the swab results came back.
Pour water over your bits whilst you pee with a jug of water. Bathe in water with added tea tree oil or salt. use the shower head to really keep it clean and wash away any debris such as pus and blood etc.
Keep your pads regularly changed, and keep taking the pain killers. HTH good Luck x

[MrsMuddle]

Oh, I had this and it was agony. I had a very old midwife, literally due to retire the next week, and she advised me to put honey on gauze pads and stick it onto my stitches. It really worked, but I've not eaten honey since.

PS I only mentioned her age, because she said when she was training, it was the standard advice. Which must have been 50 or so years ago.

[Jas]

I also agree. Get the ABs tomorrow. I as also told to put tea tree on my pads, along ith everything lilymolly said.

[TattyCatty]

Been there, it's horrid. Completely agree that you should get ABs asap, but make sure the midwife keeps chasing for results of the swab to get the correct ones - I went through 3 types and ended up with one via suppository in the end, after being readmitted to hospital.

I was also told by a midwife that manuka honey was meant to be a very good natural healer, but didn't actually try it as it was too much agony to try to apply anything.

Lots of baths with tea tree oil and lavendar, salt washes if you can manage them and use a hair dryer to dry yourself off. Let us know how you get on.

[ElenorRigby]

Thanks all!! Much appreciated

Ive been to the doctor and got a prescription for AB's.

Im also cleaning the infection with salt and tea tree baths and I have some Manuka honey, not applied it yet but will tomorrow!...oh and Im spending time knickerless exposing me bits to the free air.

Its feeling a little better already

Thanks again

Regards
Elenor

[lilymolly]

def chase up the swab results as you may need to be on different ab's.
Yes plenty air to the fanjo area!! I used to lean over the open fire and the warmth would soothe me

[pastalady]

I had an infected episiotamy and I am sorry to say it did make me feel very poorly and uncomfortable. I tried to tell my midwife that I was concerned about it being infected, but she kept telling me that it was just the 'smell of blood' and 'it had been so long since I had had a period I had forgoteen the smell'!!!! Needless to say, it became horridly infected. Anti-biotics cleared it up quickly.

Agree with lilmolly's advice. You could also try having salt water baths. That should help the infection.

At least you have caught it early! Hope you feel better soonx x x

[tori32]

If its throbbing down there try an ice pack or frozen veg! Whats Manuka honey? If its the edible sort don't put it anywhere near your fanjo.
Three things bacteria need to survive are warmth, darkness and something to feed on!
Also, like has already been said, you still need the swab results because the ABs you are on will be broad spectrum to help while the results come back. Once they know which bacterium are causing the problem then they can use a more specific AB for the problem.

[Glimmer]

Honey had mildly desinfectant qualities and can be used to desinfect minor scratches (it is commonly used on skin in Russion Banjas). Don't know if it's good for an episiotomy wound, though -- tori32 has a point that the bacteria might feed on the sugar. Good luck with the ABs.

[Mumpbump]

When my episiotomy was infected, my m/w told me to take 400mg of ibuprofen and 1g of paracetamol. Can't remember how many times per day you could take it, but the instructions would tell you. I was in agony and couldn't walk though...

[TellusMater]

Lavender oil baths also good.

[MrsTittleMouse]

Honey has such a high sugar content that it sucks all the water out of the bacteria by osmosis. So honey would be fine, and wouldn't feed the bacteria. I've seen honey used to heal an ulcer and it was quite amazing how well it worked.

[Glimmer]

Very interested. I had a look in a pregnany book "birthing from within" and they also suggested honey. Thanks for the explanation, MrsTittlemouse

[insywinsyspider]

I had this - glad you got AB's they really helped me, also lavender baths (preferred smell to tea tree!) and boots do a kind of gel pack thing (sorry can't remember the brand but it was with maternity pads) you can put in freezer and place in pants (comes with disposable covers) found those really good at end of day for soothing sore bits - was a roasting hot summer last year too so stopped everything getting sweaty
Hope it feels better soon x

[saffymum]

I would say go for the AB's soon but just remember if you are BF then you have a higher risk of thrush on your breasts and in babies mouth as a result. Can't remember why but its something to do with killing off the bad bacteria and some of the good bacteria so the thrush (normally occurring) can take over.