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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Cleaning Labia tears

16 replies

Ellie2elysia · 01/09/2014 10:20

Have birth to my beautiful son 3 days ago and all went relatively well!

I now have 2 large labia tears that were not stitched just left to heal... My question is what do I need to do to aid healing? And keeping the area clean because I'm wearing pads everyday which can't be helping but a necessity!

Do I have a bath with anything or do I avoid bathing the area and just shower???

OP posts:
Akp30 · 01/09/2014 11:12

I was told with stitches to 'air dry' after my shower and let the air get to that area- so after you've showered out a dry towel on the bed and lie in it with your legs apart - not a great look I know, I used to tell hubby not to come in at this point! And just stay there for 10/15 minutes until the area was all dry, then clean pad and off you go! Lol. I'm sure you are but I'd change the pad pretty regularly too- I got through hundreds well it felt like that anyway. All the best & congrats ??

VivaLeBeaver · 01/09/2014 11:16

Make sure you part your labia a few times a day so the different sides don't heal together.

TaurielTest · 01/09/2014 11:22

Are you happy with the decision not to stitch? If not, it might not be too late to discuss with your mw... (I had labial tears with two births, the first ones were stitched and healed well, the second one was left unstitched and healed open to leave a sort of notch which bothers me a bit - so I'm coming at this from the perspective of someone who regrets not having it repaired. I realise that your tears will be different).

Anyway, to answer your question, I found pouring over warm water with a drop of tea tree oil from a jug to clean, and then allowing to dry as PP describes (oh the glamour), worked pretty well.

Original poster
Ellie2elysia · 01/09/2014 12:20

They didn't offer me stitched but they did say they were quite deep! I'm having to pour a jug of warm water over everytime I go for a wee... Not very comfortable!!

So I'm better off showering?? Is there anything I can buy to aid the healing process?

I'm terrified to look down there haha, I will get a shower and sit with my legs open to dry later :D

OP posts:
GingerScouse · 01/09/2014 19:25

I had an episiotomy and was glad I looked as my outside stitches have split. It probably won't be as bad as you think if you do look. Mine looks much better now the swelling has gone down so don't panic.

Heatherbell1978 · 01/09/2014 20:39

I gave birth 10 days ago and also had labia tears. They said they weren't deep but best to stitch them anyway so I have one stitch on each side. I pour a jug of warm water over the area when I pee still and dab tea tree oil on my pads.

lighteningmcmama · 01/09/2014 21:04

Definitely let air get to the area as much as you can. I found salt baths helped a lot too.

Havingkittens · 01/09/2014 21:11

Badedas bubble bath is well known for having amazing healing properties post partum. I used it after I had my baby. Can't say for sure whether it was that, the tea tree oil or the salt baths that sorted me out but it does have a great reputation (Google it!)

Original poster
Ellie2elysia · 01/09/2014 22:00

I had a sea salt bath and thought is try weeing in the bath and it stung so much :(. I've also had a look and it's torn either side and very deep eek! So jealous of people who don't get even a graze!! So lucky

OP posts:
Blondiemama · 02/09/2014 02:17

Get your MW to have a look when she does your next visit OP. If you are worried that the tear is quite deep and think actually you may need stitches it's best to get it done now. You are under care of MW for 28 days. Echoing what the other ladies said- tea tree and warm water when you pee. Lie with legs open and air dry and sea salt baths -get the salt from the chemist. This really helped me. It will get better but do get it checked regularly if you have any concerns x

Rinkydinkypink · 02/09/2014 02:42

Day 3 to 7 is always going to hurt. I found it very sore. I had stitches and grazes, you could ask for stitches if you wanted.

Things that helped.

Clean maternity pads as often as possible. Maternity because they provide the cushioning that really helps. I went through tons of them. Witch hazel liquid (not the gel, never the gel!) on clean pads to help with bruising also helps to keep you feel fresher. Get it from a chemist, it's not expensive. I didn't do this first time round but really wish I had.

Shower twice a day if you can. I also found weeing in the shower easier and more effective than a jug. No salt baths! Air dry, use a hair dryer to speed it up. It's ok to sit on the bed on a towel and let the air get to your bits. Stuff dignified, it's only for a few days and you've just had a babyGrin

It will get better faster than you realise.

Tipsykisses · 02/09/2014 03:03

Congratulations on the birth of your baby boy OP !

I used cold witch hazel on a sanitary towel twice a day after having my DS , I had 3rd degree tear so needed stitches & grazed Labia & I found it was so soothing .
After using it was advised to air my bits for 10 min twice a day as pp have said .

I found it less painful to pee if I sort of half stood /crouched and leaned slightly forward if that makes sense?
Less wee going on the sore area plus you can put water in a sports drinks bottle which makes it easier to direct than a cup .

rootypig · 02/09/2014 03:22

A couple of drops of lavender oil in a warm bath is incredibly soothing and healing. You can get the small bottles for about £3 from most chemists. Was my favourite thing post birth, and I include smoked salmon in my calculations!

Congratulations on your wee one Smile

lighteningmcmama · 02/09/2014 05:39

It may have hurt because of the wee not the salt. But anyway if you dint find it helpful then best not to continue and try something else.

Don't want you to get your hopes up about stitching again now- they are v v unlikely to restitch now. They stitch within 24 hours of birth, after that the risk of stitching closed a possible infection outweighs the possible need to stitch. The area should heal by itself but if not they might offer you a corrective procedure a few months down the line-but hopefully you'll be fine and your body will do what it needs to do.

Get the mw or your gp to check if there's an infection that might explain the pain.

Air is a great healer (as is time :) ), every feed lie down or recline on an old towel and air the area, the towel will catch any bleeding (obviously you will need a few towels in rotation to keep clean too).

You will get better, you'll be amazed at your body's capacity to heal.

pinkteapots · 02/09/2014 07:21

Just a caution re salt baths, they are super, BUT dont put in a lot if salt. A tablespoon to a bath is loads. I was kinda gung ho 1st time round, tipping it in, more the better... but too much hinders healing and caused me to not heal for 6 weeks and have scar tissue granulation...

Less is more!

Original poster
Ellie2elysia · 04/09/2014 16:09

Still stinging when going to the toilet but I suppose that's to be expected as DS is only 5 days old :), I'm having a salt water bath every other day then a normal warm bath every other day to make sure it's kept clean! I change my pads a lot more for my comfort if anything :). After every bath I sit with my fan on air drying :) I just can't wait to be all healed :( I know it just takes time but this hobbling and struggling to sit is highly annoying especially when you have to run around for a baby.

He is so worth it though, such a beautiful gift ?? x

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