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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

What's good for sore stitches?

16 replies

Catsu · 27/08/2011 09:09

Can anyone recommend anything to ease the pain of stitches please?
I had dd 4 days ago and my stitches are very sore. Am taking paracetemol and putting lavender oil in the bath each day.
Someone told me about something that you can put on from thd chemist that eases them but I've forgotten thd name, something like lanacane perhaps? Does anyone know?
How long does it usually take before the pain eases?

OP posts:

PotatoesOfTheCarribean · 27/08/2011 09:10

A salt water bath can help. Did they give you diclofenac or anything? Found it really helped with the pain.

Original poster

Catsu · 27/08/2011 09:15

No, is that a painkiller? Could I take it while bf'ing? And can I get it in boots or is it a prescription thing?
Thanks

OP posts:

YougreatPamplemousse · 27/08/2011 09:16

Coolness soothes amazingly. I used to keep a bottle of witchhazel in the fridge, then pour some onto a pad before using it, it was amazing stuff. It took about 24 hours of witchhazelling and it was much less painful.

bagelmonkey · 27/08/2011 09:17

Not sure if it's a good idea or not, but I found that my stocked hurt when they ribbed against my legs or underwear, so I used a bit of that nipple goo like Vaseline and it really helped.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 27/08/2011 09:30

You need to get one of those special gel pad things especially for this purpose that you put in the freezer. Best present my dh ever got me! He just happened to notice them in with all the nursing pads etc when he picked up some stuff in Boots and knew I was really suffering down below. Oncenthe gel pad is frozen you wrap it up in the washable material strip things that are in the box and pop it in your knickers, think I put mine under my maternity pad. I cant tell you what a relief it was, get some!

Boosaphena · 27/08/2011 09:36

I'd chat with doc/mw. Diclofenic was fab and safe while bf but you should get it prescribed. And keep up the meds... I thought I was better after a few days and stopped a lot of my meds but it turned out the meds were making me better.

HotChip · 27/08/2011 09:37

I was on the full recommended dose of paracetamol and ibuprofen. That was what hospital had me on. Was bfing and not a problem.

If that doesn't help, ask you mw or gp. No point being sore if you don't have to be.

littleshinyone · 27/08/2011 09:38

lidocaine gel is a local anaesthetic, which i used for my stitches as well as regular paracetamol and arnica. I used a preparation i got from the hospital (instillagel) which comes in a useful syringe (normally used for catheters). I was a little worried that it might sting a bit (which can happen with most local anaesthetics) but it was totally fine.

Diclofenac is ok if you're not using it TOO often, but it is something that if breast feeding is in theory best avoided.... if baby was to have a certain heart condition, taking diclofenac might make it harder for the baby to compensate, and so become unwell, and also it's not great for kidney function....

paracetamol is fine in breast feeding.

I totally agree with the assassin- cooling is good- day 4 is probably the point where the bruising and swelling is at its worst so there's going to be lots of pressure on the stitches, so cooling the tissues will reduce the swelling and hopefully help while your body starts to resolve things itself. I definitley think I was at my sore-est around day 4...

good luck!

marylou242 · 27/08/2011 09:38

Are you mixing the lavender oil with a carrier before you put it in the bath? If not, it can be quite harsh on your skin when it's neat. You need to mix 6 drops into 5mls of either milk or another oil, e.g. almond oil. It helps it to spread through the water.

HotChip · 27/08/2011 09:44

Sorry, in answer to your last q, about 2 weeks to be ok when sitting, then about 6 to feel ok when standing/ walking etc. Was 12 weeks before I could look, by which time there was nothing really to see.

PIMSoclock · 27/08/2011 09:53

I had a gel made by an aromatherapist and it was fab!!
25mls ky jelly with 2 drops of tea tree and one of lavender. It worked really well.
You can also use alo vera gel.
Take a jug of water to the loo and poor on your bits as you pee. Or pee in the bath.
If things have not settled in a day ask your midwife to check them to make sure there is no infection etc
PIMS

banana87 · 27/08/2011 09:57

Calendula. But don't put it directly on ye stitches, put it on your pad. And avoid salt water baths as they dissolve the stitches which you don't want to happen too early.

TiffanyToothache · 27/08/2011 09:57

Seconding the frozen gel pads

here

amazing!

roundtable · 27/08/2011 09:58

I've been told to take arnica in tablet form (I bought at boots). Not given birth yet so I couldn't say if it actually works!

Taking some tips though, thanks everyone!

GeekLove · 27/08/2011 09:59

I second the salty bath with a couple of drops of lavender and tea tree oil. Also if you are sore when peeing just pee in the bath before you get out.

CurlyhairedAssassin · 28/08/2011 22:06

YY to the arnica tablets. Gel pads were the most effective, I could have CRIED from the relief it brought! I feel your pain, but it will pass. Also make sure you don't stand up too long, the blood flow will all just pool in the swollen area and make it all so much more uncomfortBle. I prescribe lots of putting your feet up!!!

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