Stitches after child birth

[user1499451561]

I had to be cut in labour has anyone got any advice or tips on how to make this terrible pain any easier in the slightest

The pain from my episiotomy with DD1 was worse than labour so you have my sympathy. Keep on top of paracetamol/ibuprofen and keep the stiches clean/dry as much as possible (I used to lie on a towel on the bed for a bit to give them some air). After a couple of days I used to have a quick bath each morning/evening, just a shallow one, with a few drops of lavender oil. Take it easy, I found that walking too far made it sore for a good few weeks afterwards. Midwives will offer to check the stiches when they visit (let them!), and if you have any sign of infection, get it checked out.

Ibuprofen and paracetamol regularly. Ice pack.

Don't get constipated so drink loads of water and eat plenty of veg etc.
Make sure they are scrupulously clean. Water is fine but pat dry afterwards.

Very very sore stitches can sometimes be a sign of an infection, specially if not improving or accompanied by unpleasant smell. Go to GP and get it checked out if so.

Warm salty bath.

I was given some clear gel type stuff called Lidocaine (sp?) which I put on to a gauze and pressed on to it. It had a numbing and cooling effect and really helped, and I think could be used as often as needed. I had a 10lb baby, I weigh 8 stones and had episiotomy and ventouse. Lots of stitches, and an immense amount of bruising. So you can imagine the pain I'm sure as you're experiencing it! Sorry you're going through this and hope it gets better soon.

I agree re the salty bath. As often as you need one.

Also, Arnica tablets help with healing.

Don't have a bath!!!! No one told me not to so on day 4 I did thinking it would soothe the pain... all it did was dissolve the stitches. The physiotherapist I then had to see for 3 weeks to have laser therapy to close the wound again was appalled that no-one on the ward had told me to wait at least 2 weeks until having a bath.

Definitely as others say keep on the pain relief, diclofenac really helped me. I also found laying on my side on the sofa helped. Hope you feel better soon OP, I can remember truly thinking the pain would never go and it did eventually x

My midwife told me to have a warm bath with lavender oil to help and it did. It does get better but I wasn't completely pain free until 6 weeks after giving birth.

My best advice is when you need to pee , lean forward and put your hand on the floor - that way you won't wee on your stitches and it won't hurt so much.

Regular pain relief- ibuprofen and paracetamol alternated, perineal oil on my pads was really soothing (I used stuff given out by the hospital, think it was cypress and lavender oil), cold compresses or cool gel packs (not directly on the skin though!), pouring lukewarm water down there when I went to the toilet helped. Also make sure to avoid straining when going to the toilet, I used fibrogel regularly for a few weeks. It DOES get better! I remember feeling really down about it, and like I'd never feel better but it does xx

Thick pads and lavender and tea tree oil in the bath. Pour a jug of water as you pee.

I feel for you, my episiotomy pain was awful. Keep alternating you ibuprofen and paracetamol. My midwife arnica tablets which so seemed to help. It will get better but it does take time I'm afraid

Agree with FoD; touch your toes when you pee - makes a huge difference.

Regular pain relief. I found witch hazel
In the bath and leaving the stitches to air dry afterwards laid in bed on a towel also helped and I felt much improved from day 5

The hospital told me no baths and clean with nothing but plain water there. I just rinsed down there with the shower head and aired it out when I could by laying on a towel. Keep on top of pain relief. I tore and wasn't cut but mine healed by the 2nd week.

We don't have a bath at home just a shower. I used to get the water to skin temperature then point the shower head at the cut whilst dabbing ever so gently with clean hands. Then to dry I would use a hairdryer on cool setting so I didn't have to dab or touch the stitches.

I also recommend not getting constipated, as that puts pressure on the stitches. I was drinking lactulose and eating a tin of prunes per day and plenty of veg to stop constipation.

Soak maternity pads in witch hazel and put them in individual sandwich bags in the freezer. Obviously remove them from the bag before use.

Diluted witch hazel on a pad - you can buy it in a bottle in boots. Best relief I got!

So sorry for you I had the same, honestly I never knew down below could swell / look/feel the way it felt after that, I was traumatised... keep lay down for as long as possible, that helped my swelling, keep it clean, nice showers, ice pack, paracetamol & ibruprofen, I had a couple of lavender and tea tree oil baths, but not many as I didn't want the stitches to dissolve too early but the bath was nice and soothing

If you use the oils in the bath my friend gave me a really good tip to mix the oil with the tiniest drop of milk so the the oil doesn't sit on top of the water... My midwife recommended those baths as often as I wanted but my friends stitchds dissolved so I only had them when I was particularly sore... hope you're feeling better soon its awful I know!

-Wee in the shower
-Salty baths

The first time my stitches gave me no bother, I was on a horse after 3 weeks. Second time round they were really sore, it was only when a stitch came out that that the pain stopped, I think they'd sewn them up a bit too tight.

Can you find a ring to sit on? A breast feeding cushion works!

If you have any condoms lying around make an ice pack, they're just the right size to fit underneath you (not in you!).

Oh poor you 😢😢

Wee in the bath if you have to. It will get better, but if it's super sore and you aren't up to sitting getting visitors tell them all to piss off and do what you need to do to be comfy.

Pouring warm water between your legs whilst you pee (also helps keep the stitches clean). Change your pad frequently to help reduce the discomfort.

I used to store pads in the freezer, I found that they were quite soothing when they were cool (but I had a summer baby - not so sure the thought is as appealing in the current climate)

And also rest!! I walked too much and took 11 weeks for the pain to go.