Infections after episiotomy - anyone had similar?

[SnuffleTurtle153]

I had my baby 2 months ago and have had repeat infections at the site of the episiotomy. I've been prescribed different antibiotics but all for vaginal bacterial infections and/or soft tissue infections. Finished the last course yesterday and woke up today with a massively swollen right leg, been back to docs and told the infection is still there and been given another 2 courses of different antibiotics. Although the infections are a pain in the arse (I'm sick of being sore!!!!!) I'm more worried that I'm not 'normal'.... And that I'll never have sex again!! Has anyone else experienced anything like this? And if so could you tell me what how long it took you to recover? I'm starting to feel really quite depressed about it now :(

How did the doctor rue out dvt as a cause for the leg swelling? Has your leg swollen before as a result of an infection?

I mentioned DVT to the doc but she said my lower leg would be swollen - the swelling is around my thigh, so I can't put my legs together. It's never happened before, no

They need to take a swab to make sure the abs they are prescribing are the right ones (assuming there's something open for them to swab?)

Episiotomy problems are not talked about enough either pre or post birth. It does get better, but very slowly. My recovery from mine was far worse than my 2 friends who had csections. I sat in a bath of about 3in of water with a few drops of tea tree oil about 3 times a day but to be honest I'm not sure how useful that was.

If you're still in pain you need proper painkillers, ask for diclofenac and take it and paracetamol regularly. If you're no better in a couple of days I'd be asking for a referral to a specialist, you shouldn't be having this level of problem after 2 months. Could you ring the maternity unit you were connected to and ask for their advice?

Thank you for replying - I agree, there's hardly any information about episiotomy's and the stuff I have found online is pretty scary. I'm allergic to diclofenac unfortunately but I'm taking other anti-inflammatorys. The Nurse took a swab yesterday but won't hear back until Friday as to the results. I'm going to do as you suggest and ask to be referred to a specialist... I just wasn't sure if it's 'usual' to be having infections over and again or to not feel any better 8 weeks down the line.

Poor you! That is not pleasant. It will get resolved in the end, and you will feel normal again. 'Normal' may not be the same as pre-dc, but it will be an OK normal for you, just different perhaps.

I've not been in quite the same situation as you, but I had an extensive 2nd degree tear that did not heal. After several months of various treatments I had a GA and it was reopened, cleaned out, and restitched. This made a such a difference: my pain was reduced and my quality of life improved (and I could have sex again!). TBH it wasn't until I had dc2 that the residual pain - for which nobody could find a cause - was completely got rid of. I tore again with dc2, but this time I healed quickly and cleanly. Only then did I truly understand that what I had suffered before was not 'normal'.

Please don't let your GP fob you off about this. I was treated by my ob-gyn, even after I had been discharged by the midwives. My ob-gyn did not discharge me until after the operation.

If you are concerned, or your leg continues to swell or get more painful, or you feel generally ill, go to A&E.

you shd see a specialist as this is not normal. I had major problems too. A specialist will be able to examine the area properly and know better what may be going on. Good luck.

Oh you poor thing. Definitely press for a referral to a specialist. It's not normal but it does happen. It took 4 courses of antibiotics for my infected tears to clear up. Make sure you keep everything clean and dry. Go without knickers where possible to let the air get to things. When I did a wee I dabbed myself with a damp face cloth and then dabbed myself dry with another clean dry cloth. When I did a poo I covered the wound with a clean maternity towel to make sure nothing got in (and it feels quite reassuring to have the area protected) and then wiped myself clean with baby wipes (not the wound!) before showering down. Don't use any soap as this will disturb the ph. Some women have found that sitting in a salt bath or a bath with lavender/tea tree oil has helped. I's also recommend having a look with a mirror each day. I know it can be a bit grim and can be pretty upsetting, but if you are familiar with how thigns look you can catch any signs of things gettign worse (increased swelling or redness, discharge, wound opening up) that much quicker. Good luck and hope you get better. And congratulations on your DC! XX