10 days on and worse - advice pls...

[sleepdodger]

Had ventouse & episitotmy 10 days ago with stitches & all seemed to be heeling well until today when everything as been v v sore to sit / stand etc
I've been taking antibiotics as prescribed to reduce risk or infection & was at drs weds am to check abot other grumble down there & dr commented on how well things were ' knitting together' so I wondered of this nw soreness was....
a common
b could be as result stitches disolving
c nasty raging infection etc ( but thought anti b would mean no)
I will go back to dr Tom if I can get an appt ... Just not sure what's a realistic recovery time
I am still wearing big cushions mat pads more for comfort than need should that make any difference!
Thanks

Not quite the same but with my second degree tear it was taking months to heal. I went to the GP and she advised me to get air to the wound as much as possible. I stopped wearing boxer shorts to bed and it healed really quickly.
Things to look out for would be fresh bleeding from the wound (a bit hard to tell when your still post nataly bleeding). And also look out for stong odours, that would suggest infection. As to whether it could be the stitches dissolving, I don't really know. Hope someone else comes along soon.

Hi,
I had forceps and epi with lots of stitiches and was only a little sore initially a week or after the birth was in a lot of pain for a few more weeks. The midwife said it was bruising and swelling that comes after a few days.
I would say prob pretty normal, but speak to dr if not sure.

Congrats on your dc!

I had second degree tear and I remember things did feel much more sore at one point - I think it can be to do with the healing process.
But you are quite right - it can also be a sign of infection. I know it is grim, but my advice would be to have a look with a mirror so you know how things look and you will be able to spot any changes all the quicker. And signs of discharge (that are difficult to spot with heavy PN bleeding), additional redness, opening up of the wound (God forbid - and this really may not happen, but it's good to check!). When I looked it was actualy a hell of a lot less scary than I thought it would be - and I am a real wimp about this kind of thing!
In the meantime keep things clean and dry. I used a damp clean face cloth to wipe after a wee and another clean dry one to dab it dry after that. When you do a poo cover the wounds with a clean maternity towel to make sure nothing gets in (very comforting as well) and then shower from the waist down after you have wiped. I used baby wipes to make sure everything was clean beofre the shower - also a bit kinder on your skin. But I wouldn't use them on the wound! Don't use soap on the wound. Sitting down in a shallow luke warm salt bath with a few drops of teat tree or lavender oil once, twice, three times a day can help. And get as much air to it as possible. Any concerns, then straight back to the GP (don't faff about with MW - some are great, some are clueless) and if there is a sign of infection get them to take a swab to make sure you get the right treatment for it.
Lastly, congratulations on your DC!
XX

also for drying after bath or shower, a hairdryer onthe coolsetting to make sure wound not left moist. kinder than trying to dry on towel if sore to touch.