Help - episiotomy healing? (TMI alert)

[Rollersara]

DC1 was born 8 days ago with ventouse and associated episiotomy. Since then things have been uncomfortable as expected, but it now seems to be getting worse. It's really itching most of the time, so much it is hard to sleep. I know this is a sign of healing but now I am needing to go to the toilet a lot as well, which causes a sharp burning cystitis-like pain.

No-one has checked the stitches since they were done. I've tried bathing with lavender and camomile but that seemed to make it worse. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do?

This sounds similar to what happened to me after DS was born. My midwife took a swab and when an infection was confirmed the doctor gave me antibiotics which cleared it up really quickly.

Give you midwife a call and get her to take a look as soon as possible, my swab results were delayed over a weekend which it got worse before it got better.

Definitely get this checked. I had ulcerated stitches that I stupidly tolerated for three weeks before telling MW. :(

Thanks guys. I have mentioned it to the two midwives who've visited and they weren't that interested but it's getting worse to the point of unbearable. OH suggested water infection too, will get on to the midwife (again!).

if you don't have any luck with midwife, try your docs they should see you aswell

I would try to get an appointment asap at docs. I had similar and my doc was so lovely and sympathetic, I got antibiotics which really helped. It's not worth hanging about when it's so uncomfortable and usually easily treatable.

Agree with somersaults. You'll get loads of sympathy from the GP. I also got an infection and GP said he was at a loss to know why women aren't given antibiotics routinely after episiotomy as he sees so many infections. He also looked aghast when I said I was just taking paracetamol and wrote me a script for something that would floor an elephant.

Antibiotics worked very quickly.

With ds2 I had episiotomony and was given gel I could lather on big soft maternity pad which helped. I ended needing repair work at about 7/8 weeks. sympathies to you

Spoke to the midwife again and she recommended drinking lots of water to see if that helps and if not, go to the doctors tomorrow. I'm on paracetamol too, it's just not enough at the moment :(

I had my baby boy 3 weeks ago, and had exactly similar symptoms - ventouse and episiotomy, itchy, sore swollen and generally painful. It is outrageous that noone checks how we are getting on routinely, isn't it? Especially, as others have said, infections are so common. My midwife was a lot more helpful than yours, by the sound of it, and looked at it, then referred me back to hospital for a doctor to look at, and I got antibiotics too. I feel much better now, although there is still healing to do.
I think we should have a mumsnet campaign for better aftercare and advice for episiotomy. It doesn't help that every health professional you see gives you different advice for how to care for the wound, which often completely contradicts what the others have said.
Hope you get the right help and feel much better soon. I find that letting some air get to my nethers feels soothing - wearing sanitary towels 24/7 isn't comfortable.

I had DS 12 days ago and after about 5 days my stitches started to really hurt MW didn't seem bothered i asked her to have a look she said it was slightly gaping but didn't do anything, she came 2 days later and i asked her to look again she said the other side was gaping so i asked her to check for infection she did a swab on sat, another MW came today said results weren't ready i asked her to have a look as when i had a look last night looked like an infection might be starting she said it looked fine.

I pushed her to call for results of the swab which she did and i have 2 different types of infection!! moral of my story push them to check it every time and take a swab if you think it might be infected. I've got some heavy duty AB and co codamol too now. Good luck

Condolences OP, if it is an infected episiotomy, it's SO painful. I had this after DC1 and had to have 2 courses of anti-biotics to clear it up. Trouble was that I put off going to the GP about it, so let it get very painful and bad, with the result that even after it healed, I was left with a lot of horrible scar tissue. Eventually I had to have suregery to sort out the scarring. :( So I really urge you to seek medical help ASAP! Good luck.

surgery, even

If you havent already seen a GP then phone them up for an urgent appointment, or go to an NHS drop in centre. Episiotomy is painful enough, let alone if its possibly infected. I had this (4th degree tear & forceps with mine) and needed 2 courses of antibiotics also.

FWIW my GP told me that once you have actually had the baby and are at home then generally the midwives dont want to know any more as they've done their bit. I personally found the midwives very good for the pregnancy, birth & while at the hospital but once I was signed off by them I just went to the GP as needed rather than bothering being referred etc.

The water thing seems to have worked so am hoping I'll get the ok from the midwife on Friday. Having said that, if it gets worse I'll go straight to the GP.

I have to agree with Enfield though, the information available is pretty limited, I've had a leaflet on aftercare for the perineum but it doesn't say what to do if it does go wrong. And was surprised when I told the midwife it hadn't ever been checked that she didn't check it then.

Hmm, has got worse again so am taking your advice and have a GP appointment this pm. Even a script for co codamol would be very welcome right now, and I can't face waiting over the weekend :(

I had a very bad episiotomy / tear wound. So bad I went to see a tissue viability nurse who told me this about healing: nevermind baths have a shower after every poo and sluice after wees. Lie down to give it an airing afterwards. Rest but also move around to get blood flowing. Eat spinach, brocolli, steak etc.

I hope it gets better soon I am shocked your midwives haven't checked you - that is unacceptable.

Thanks to the advice upthread I saw my GP, who did a urine test and instantly provided a course of antibiotics for a water infection. So that was nice and easy. Shame it wasn't picked up four days ago when I first asked the midwife .

Glad you have managed to get it sorted, but as you say, very bad that the midwife didn't do her job!

Yes, GP said infections are common after episiotomies, which does make sense. Saw MW yesterday, she said i was right to go to GP, but again, she could have said that the first time I asked. I only went to GP because of the advice on here...