Care tips for stitches?

[Bobbielee91]

Hi,

I had my baby 3 days ago and had a number of stitches in my vagina. I was able to pee and poo with no issues at all until today

Now when I pee, my vagina is very sore and remains sore for some time afterwards. It’s almost impossible to use tissue to dry myself following a wee so I followed the midwives advice and after I have been to the loo, I rinse with warm water and pat dry the area.

Does anyone have any tips to stop the sting? Is there an easier way to clean/dry the area following a wee?

Any help appreciated, thanks

[Bobbielee91]

I am 6 days PP and already feeling a lot better down there.

We had our heel prick test yesterday and my midwife checked my stitches whilst there and she said that they are fine but to keep an eye on them due to the location (they are on opposite sides of my labia, not perineum) 😬

Good job our babies make all the pain worth it 💙

[Nomad86]

Twice a day, pour warm water between your legs whilst sat on the toilet. Then lean forward and pour down the back too.

I showered with bikini bottoms on to stop any soap products getting to the stitches.

[NewBabyNoName]

I'm with you, 4 days PP and sore. I am doing the lavender/milk shallow bath as well as warm water when peeing and it is helping. Keep up with the pain meds too.

I remember from the first time round that I was still really sore and thinking it would never get better when suddenly there was a dramatic improvement, must have been around 10 days maybe.

[Bobbielee91]

Thank you all for your tips.

My stitches are doing much better now tbh. I have just continued with the warm water after peeing and dabbing dry with a soft towel. I have also allowed them to air out and regularly bathed.

My bleeding is slowing right down now so hopefully the less moisture that there is, the better

@viewoffriday - I had a home visit off the community midwife less than 24 hours after being at home and will have a health visitor visit in a few weeks. I find that the aftercare when having a baby isn’t very good tbh. I’m addition, my gp surgery is so short staffed at the moment - there is usually one doctor working!

[FoxgloveStar]

Pour jug of water over as you pee. Have a gentle rinse in shower after. Pat dry with a dry and clean soft flannel.

[Nothisispatrick]

Bath with lavender and staying hydrated. Mine stung the most when I peed at night or first thing in the morning as I was less hydrated.

When it was really bad I’d wet toilet paper with cold water and hold it on the stitches while I peed.

[Reccy2018]

Few drops of tea tree oil in a daily bath plus arnica tablets really helped me

[IWouldLikeToKnow]

You're advised to use tea tree oil in daily baths where I work. Also, as a PP suggested, support the perineum with a wad of tissue when opening your bowels helps to prevent any straining.

[minniebow]

Poor a jug/bottle of water down there as you pee and running the tap helps if you’re too nervous of the pain to get going. That was always the worst part such an awful sting! It will get better before you know it though Congratulations as well!

[firstbubbadue]

I used lavender oil and milk in my baths daily from advice of midwife on day 3/4, I noticed a significant difference as soon as I started doing this. Also I was using spritz for bitz on my maternity pass but they said to avoid this for a while as doing so you are keeping the wound moist which is not advised. Instead I kept a jug by the loo and poured warm water over the stitches when weeing, it dilutes the wee so not stinging so much then just dabbed the tissue instead of wiping x

[sickmumma]

I've had stitches with all three of my children however managed to heal with no problems. This sounds silly but when pooing I would hold a sponge over my stitches so I didn't feel like I was pushing against them too much. I also would also wash below after every wee and then pat dry instead of using paper and bath or shower everyday.

[GreenDinosaur]

No, they don't sting, they are cool and soothing, I loved them.
I used TN Dickinson's Witch Hazel Hemorrhoidal pads, can't recommend them highly enough.

[Viewoffriday]

Did you get to see a midwife? You could also ask to see a gp tomorrow. I'm surprised a midwife isn't visiting you and your baby at home. In my area, they come to your house within 48 hours of leaving hospital, come again a few days later to check wound and check baby's weight, and then you can attend a midwife clinic until they sign you off to the HV.

[Peanut91]

I found the best thing to soothe was to have regular warm baths. To start with I was having one two to three times a day

[Bobbielee91]

We have had a look at the stitches after my shower and they look a little yellow.

Tried to call MAU but no answer as not sure if they should look as they do.

Thank you for all of your tips, will try something ASAP

[QforCucumber]

I too did the lavender oil in milk, into a shallow bath. Really helped but i also had an infection and needed antibiotics

[LetsHaveAnotherGo]

Also if you get some time to yourself after a bath/shower, stick a towel on your bed and have a lie down with nothing on your bottom half.
Mine always felt better after I'd let some fresh air round my nethers 😁

[NotSoThinLizzy]

When I had my 1st the told me before I owe to put Vaseline on it then wash it off after

[poppyseed2]

I used a plastic cup of lukewarm water to clean myself after the toilet. Then a v gentle pat but mostly just let it air fully before covering back up.

Also, daily baths with lavender / witch hazel, a few drops of lavender on your maternity pads (yes, it stings a little to start!) and arnica to help any bruising.

[redandyellowand]

I used a few drops of lavender oil dissolved in milk.
I added this to warm water and cleaned the wound with this and a fresh flannel every single time. Packs of 10 flannels are £1 in the £1 shop. 1 for bathing, 1 for drying each time.
It really soothed the area and I healed from a horrific tear in no time.
Also took arnica tablets for the bruising which helped as much as the painkillers did.

[Bobbielee91]

Thanks for your tips everyone

@GreenDinosaur - do the witch hazel pads sting initially when applying?

I do still have my midwife appointment arranged for Wednesday which was actually for my second sweep (should the first have not been successful) - maybe I should still go and see if she will check my stitches?

[GreenDinosaur]

---? Sorry, phone being weird.

[GreenDinosaur]

That should have read, over the---- maternity pads.

[preggersteach]

And congratulations!!

[preggersteach]

Drink loads of water as that will dilute your urine and help make it less painful. I had baths with tea tree oil and that really helped