Showers after forceps and episiotomy

[fireflyz]

How soon did you use soap or shower gel in the shower on affected areas after a forceps, tear and episiotomy delivery?
I was told to not use any sort of soap there, just plain water, for a while but have forgotten when the midwives said I could start using it again.
Thanks in advance.

I tend not to use soaps directly down there anyway as I can get thrush but I was less paranoid about soap getting there after about 3 weeks and the stitches no longer felt 'raw'.

I just rinsed gently with water using the shower head.

I used a simple aloe Vera shower gel from the first shower. No one told me not to. I only used it externally and washed with my hand so it didn't get too lathery. TMI I wanted to as I lost 2.5 litres of blood so there was a lot of dried blood. I made sure I rinsed very thoroughly with the shower head

I haven't used anything yet and probably won't until bleeding has stopped and I feel normal down there again (I has episiotomy and a torn muscle but no forceps). In the hospital I used there shower product but not down there as I was told to only use water. I was recommend to bathe by one midwife but then shower only by another. One of my stitches has started to slightly come undone and one midwife has said it could be because of soaking in the bath, so I'll be sticking to just showers for a while now until I know that the stitches have completely healed.

Oh but I have used one of my shower gels but on my top half only, like arms and chest etc

I used diluted Tea Tree Oil & was surprised at how fantastic the healing properties were.

Before that, I used warm water feom the showerhead.

I used Simple shower gel -- I kind of lathered it up on my tummy then very gently cleaned down there, iyswim. It'll be ok. I did this a few days later. Maybe not right on the scar.

I feel for you. Forceps +episiotomy is a rotter.

I stuck to baths with salt and tea tree oil for first couple of weeks, bar a 3 night stay in the paeds ward where I showered with water only. The tea tee and salt really helped healing and then went back to normal showering. Pleased to say didn't have episiotomy with dc2 .... Hopefully all heals fast and congratulations on the new addition!

I had a shower a few hours after the birth and just used water - 10 days in, I'm still just using plain water and the shower head.

I'm desperate for a nice hot bubble bath, but worried about the stitches loosening (if that's even a thing!)

how soon would you have a nice bath?

I had a nice long soak in the bath 4 hours after episiotomy and forceps. That was normal treatment then (20+ years ago). Very soothing. The normal advice then was salt water baths to help the stiches dissolve (though later research shows this is nonsense unless you use sackful of salt in the bath), use soap to clean (though not overly perfumed) and rinse area with water. My perineum healed quickly Times change.

Baddidas is your friend! I had a lot of stitches, forceps , vantouse it really helped, just a nice warm bath and soak!