Episiotomy - is this pain normal?

[Urglewurgle]

So my lovely DD rushed into the world on Wednesday morning (woke up 6:30am with back pain, got to hospital at 9:30am and she was here at 10:43am) had to have an episiotomy as she was getting distressed.

Now, the pain seems to be getting worse. It feels so, so, so sore. Really stinging and it's almost impossible to move and sit. Rolling over in bed is horrific.
It's been made worse by me having a cold and coughing and sneezing - I honestly think I'd rather give birth again!

Is this normal? How can I help myself heal? I think I'll contact the midwife or doctors in the morning as I literally can't live like this. I'm currently in an Epsom salt bath, I rinse with water after I pee. Please tell me this gets easier?

Ooh I feel your pain. I remember that well, especially the pain when peeing.

I had more luck with warm salt baths than with ice-packs. The ice seemed to make the throbbing worse. Peeing in the shower was also helpful, and spending as much time lying down with legs apart as possible. (Yes, even though that's how you got into this state in the first place. That joke just never gets old.)

Mine did turn out to be infected. Anti-inflammatories and penicillin sorted it right out.

Will second the distilled witch hazel, pop a bit on your towel and the relief is amazing. You can buy it in the pharmacy (I got mine from boots)

I had quite an... ahem, impressive episiotomy, OP. Looked bloody awful with all the stiches and bruising!

I had a salt bath twice a day (on the advice of MW and HV) and didn't have any problems at all. It felt tender, but not sore. The salt helped to heal the area and kept it super clean. Very small handful of salt into a warm bath and have someone help you in and out to avoid any slips. You don't need to stay in long - 10-15 minute soak and keep the water at hip level so that it's just sploshing over your tummy. A little bit of lavender oil won't hurt either - it's a natural remedy for healing.

Get bed pads for sleeping and ditch the knickers! Get some air to the area and let it 'breathe' at night. Make sure you are changing your sanitary products frequently as well. My bleeding was really heavy the first week so was changing every hour anyway, but I kept changing (and cleaning at every change) frequently while I was healing.

Get your MW to check your stiches PRONTO just to make sure everything IS okay. One of my friends was stitched up and in absolute agony until the MW realised they had stitched over a pile. I'm crossing my fucking legs at the thought! Major ouchies!

It is normal, I sat on an inflatable ring for 2 weeks at least, then it got better.

Congratulations on your newborn.

They also have the inflatable rings on Amazon with next day delivery. I remember being terribly sore and using it for a good couple of weeks and also having the salt baths.

Just wanted to say don't assume you'll need an episiotomy if you have future labours. I had one with no1, a graze with no 2 (much less sore!) and nothing with no 3,4 &5. It usually does get easier.

I have an inflatable ring thing I can send you first class today if you like just for postage cost. PM me if you want it x

Aw Frazzle how lovely to see the great side of MN after a particularly catty few days around the place! How lovely of you.

Yes unfortunately mine was like that. Double episiotomy after forceps. Don't mean to worry you but have you had a poo yet? Breathing like delivery all over again. Be prepared

I had this with my 1st he was undiagnosed breech so to late for a c sec but his head got stuck and had to cut me I used to carry a bottle of tap water around with me and leave one in the bathroom always filled and pour as u pee helps the sting a bit but don't remember pain getting worse if ur really worried call ur docs good luck

Steam bath or hot bath can help in minimizing the pain. I used it by myself. It is really helpful. Some doctor gives injection to heal pain. I don't know much about the sever pain, because my pain was very rare. I thought it was back pain. My labor pain was started at midnight. I didn't tell to doctors for the whole night. Next morning when I told to doctor, they immediately shifted me to labor room. There I spend 2 hours with pain. I saw some women there with labor pain for more than 14 hours. Might be mine would go for so long if I don't ask them for c-section. But I was too much afraid of it. The pain now is much less than labor pain. My baby is also healthy.

My DM found recovery from the full episiotomy she had when delivering my brother (kielland forceps were used) awful. She took a long time to heal and ended up having light therapy, iirc.

Sounds infected.

You need to see your GP, your MW can have a look and take a swab to check for infection but would then be likely to refer you to your GP to get a prescription for Antibiotics, so it makes more sense to cut out the middle man and go straight to your GP.