What to sit on post episiotomy or tear?

[buffythebarbieslayer]

Previous big babies and tear last time. Likely to need elective episiotomy this time as looks like another big baby.

Donut cushions seem exspensive. Don't want to buy in case I don't need it.

Any alternative s?

i used my body pillow but did later feel it pulling like pp mentioned mainly i didnt sit down, if you bf learn to do it lying down (i dont much like it, havent used that skill after the first couple of weeks but i was glad of it!). From pp sounds like episiotomies all feel different so dont think you can plan! amy sounds like you need to see a gp asap, im sure something can be done but id stay away from dr google if i were you!

I found it agonising to sit on my epistiostomy for weeks after and wish I'd got a donut cushion for when painkillers were wearing off. Maybe identify a close source in case you need one all of a sudden. Good luck with baby!

Icepacks. The hospital sent me home with tiny disposable ice packs they were fantastic. soothing and helps reduce swelling, Plus every few pad changes i added witch hazel which was also nice and soothing too. two big babies here too.

Painkillers while I was in hospital.

Birth ball when I got home.

Fold a cushion in half and then put it under your knees at the front of the seat. It lifts your thighs and means you're not actually sitting in the epi. My midwife showed me how to do this and I do thinkit helped

At the advice of the nurse in theater when I was getting stitched I got an inflatable kids swim ring for £2. Didn't have it too inflated but it definitely helped me as I healed really well. My sofa is also fairly low so it helped me sit that bit higher.

donut cushions are hard and uncomfortable! I had a bad tear on my right side and the only thing that helped was sitting on my left side and not putting any pressure on it whatsoever!!

Second the travel pillow.
And to the lady who said pain still after 4 months.. I had the same and went to gp. It was granulation of the scar tissue and healed well eventually with no help. Took about 8 months after birth.

Go on amazon or ebay and see if you can find some postpartum chemical ice packs and Lavette bottles.

The ice packs will help in reducing swelling and easing itching, and they are absorbent, but you would need a pad under them too.

The irrigation bottles are for cleaning after using the loo if you don't have a bidet. They are great for blasting away poo .

In addition the bottles can be used to stimulate urination if you are too numb to feel much sensation, or to stimulate your bladder to fully empty (squirt cold water in the general area) if you don't think you have managed this. They avoid use of TP over tender areas.

When you take a shower post partum (as long as you're not dizzy), lean right over and allow the water to run right over your perineal area.

I had an episiotomy every time and found I didn't need any special sitting equipment.

(If you get the Lavette bottles make sure to fill a few before seating yourself on the loo).

And you would easily go through a case of the ice packs..

I leaned to the side with a pained expression for a few days, or lay down

I ended up with a hemotoma and couldn't even contemplate sitting down for 2 weeks. I just lay on one side. What helped me was the midwife (I was in hospital for a week) bringing me disposable gloves, filled with water and frozen, to put between my legs!

Roll up a towel into a sausage and bend it into a circle. Et voila a donut pillow

Diclofenac. Amazing stuff. Went from not being able to sit down at all on day 4 to waking up on day 5 and being sat down for about half an hour without pain before I even realised what I was doing!

Not sure if I've just missed something but I'm surprised no one has suggested Feme pads, I saw some cheap in Mothercare when I was pregnant and decided to buy some "just in case" - soooo glad I did as I ended up with a really painful episiotomy wound and these really helped.

www.amazon.co.uk/Smartchoices-Women-SMART086017-Smart-Choice/dp/B000UX52Z0

They're the same sort of thing as those relaxing eye mask thingies. You just put them in the freezer, take them out cover it with a disposable gauze (included) stick it in your pants, and enjoy the lovely cold numbing effect on your burningly sore fanjo Worked a treat for me.

@Amyplus Hi Amyplus, I did heard of it from a close friend. She said it's very quick and completely painless, also very effective! I will also try it myself for my postpartum problems, can't wait for my first session!

Just incase this thread gets viewed again - you can get these on Amazon in the uk now. They were amazing on my stitches.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N9JEKY8

I was strongly advised not to use a donut cushion similar by my midwife-she said they can restrict blood flow which is crucial for healing, and as another PP said pull on your stitches

OP you've only just given birth, keep on top of the pain relief and go easy, your midwife will be checking your stitches for the next week or so and after a couple of weeks you should find things start to feel much improved

Interesting how experiences of epistiostomy vary so much. I wonder if having an instrumental or not makes a difference to recovery. I was in the pain camp and found sitting hard for a while. I don’t remember buying anything but sat on a breastfeeding pillow sometimes or tried to lie down as much as I could.