Postnatal cushion - episiotomy.

[thesmallbear]

Hello

I gave birth in the early hours of Saturday morning and have just got home from the hospital :)

I had an episiotomy and I tore Can anyone recommend me a good postnatal cushion as it hurts to sit down. Seen a few for varying prices, but one that does the trick and l can get for next day delivery.

TIA

Hire a valley cushion from your local NCT branch. They're reasonable and work brilliantly. About £15 for 5 days. Check the NCT website for your local agent. It's been a real life saver for me...twice. Hope you heal quickly and congratulations on your new baby

Thanks Mangobubbles. Found the number for my local NCT Valley Cushion Agent in my NCT magazine. Do they deliver it to you, send it in the post, or do you have to go and collect it from them? Do you think it's ok to call them on a Sunday?

I just Amazon primed one that was inflatable and about £9. Had an episiotomy and 3rd degree tear. Helped sooooooo much! Congrats on your babe :) mine is 6 weeks tomorrow and I've felt good as new for about 3 weeks, hope it's the same for you

Two towels rolled up, one on either side of your bottom to sit on. Works a treat

Congratulations on your new arrival!

I found sitting on a regular pillow with ice wrapped in a towel placed on top of it worked wonders.

Thanks all for your tips. I now have an inflatable rubber ring type thing.

One more question if I may. I had a look at 'it' in the mirror today. Is it supposed to be neat? Or should there be bulging out bits? Sorry for the TMI! I'm a bit worried I've ripped my stitches out or something now I've looked at it

I had a 2nd degree tear as well as the episiotomy. 2 for the price of 1

I wasn't brave enough to look at mine until about week 3 but I'm sure if I'd looked at the stage you are at now, it wouldn't have been pretty. I was very vigilant with the aftercare but still had some pus and a lot of pain around the stage you are at, and was worried I'd pulled my stitches too.
As I said above though, I felt fab from about 3 weeks. When I had a look it was like nothing ever happened, 2 midwives have said the same to me! Except can see a slight episiotomy scar but nothing tear-wise. So that's good. Just keep up the aftercare (for me it was rinsing not wiping, taking your meds if you were given any (laxatives?), tea tree baths, sitting on your cushion) and do your PELVIC FLOORS!!! Do them!! DO THEM!!

Wow sorry my paragraphs disappeared!

No cushion advice but your post brought back memories of wincing whilst walking to the dustbins! Hope your down -belows heal speedily. X

Mine was pretty horrid looking at 10 days (the first time I checked), there was a 'hole' in the stitching which scared me witless, but today (8 months on) you'd not know at all. I did get it checked out by the HV but she wasn't worried. I was on regular pain killers for 6 weeks which was about the same time I felt I didn't need the pillow anymore.

Give your body time and it will heel itself

Witch hazel on your pads will give you a lovely cool feeling and promote healing (speaks from experience of 4th degree tear)

I wish I had been given laxatives. I'm on iron tablets as I lost 800ML of blood. They make me constipated. Do you think straining on the toilet could damage anything

Yes! The laxatives I was given are just lactulose and fybogel, available over the counter so you could get some.

I had a huge episiotomy and it did bulge for the first week or so, but then the stitches fell out and it didn't look as bad. Nearly two years on i have a thin scar but it causes me no trouble. I agree with the Witchazel pads... Heaven!!

I guzzled lactulose and water by the gallon. Try soaking golden linseeds as well. You probably won't damage anything but you don't want piles to add to your suffering.

I'm going to repeat the witch hazel advice too. I think I bought it online then discovered my chemist sold it.