Episiotimy, I need all your hints and tips for dealing with life after one.

[Hermya321]

Hello, I've had to have an episiotmy (sorry my spelling is all over the shop at the moment) after a forceps birth. I'm currently doing a shuffly cowboy impression and would really really appreciate any and all hints and tips to aid my comfort and healing. Thank you!

hi there

if you are buying the cool gel pads (femepads)- which work absolute wonders and give instant relief- here's another tip the gauze strip covers are very expensive if you buy the branded ones so instead take one to your pharmacist and ask them for something called tubigauze or tubifast (both work just as well) in the same width as the strip you got. then just cut up the lengths (or get DH to do it!). you will save yourself loads of money. i found the femepads really really helped.

also i would say don't underestimate teh difference airing can make. just think about when you cut your hand and the difference in the pace of healing as soon as you take your plaster off. air can do wonders. just sit on the bed on a towel if you are still bleeding. if this is difficult in the day, then just go to sleep like this at night at least.

all the best.

congrats!

be patient, the pain WILL pass

take painkillers

feed lying on side, this is HUGE! I tired to sit and learn how to BF, big mistake. If FF, get someone else to do some feeds

get a squirty water bottle and rinse lady garden after each wee/poo, maybe use tea tree oil

limit visitors, as you will try and be normal and this does not help

take it VERY easy

all stuff i wish I had known

good luck x

If you feel its getting worse, and you feel generally like you are getting worse each day in yourself as a whole, its probably infected. See GP for meds immediately and you'll quickly feel better!

I stupidly suspected an infection but did nothing for two days.

Hi Hermya, if you feel constipated, I suggest you get some lactolose. The mw suggested it when I started crying at the thought of having a poo. You get it from Boots (behind the counter) and you take it for a couple of days. But basically has a laxative effect and makes your poos runny so that it doesnt hurt. Talk to your mw about it. I hope the various things are helping now.

We're getting there slowly, I'm at home now and seem to be recovering. Although I'm starting to feel where they stitched me now and it sort of stings. Is that normal as the swelling goes down?

The Doctors checked them today and said they were healing well as did the midwife.