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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Care tips for stitches?

28 replies

Bobbielee91 · 30/10/2018 02:36

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

OP posts:

Viewoffriday · 30/10/2018 02:54

Keep the area clean - you can get special shower gel stuff, maybe it was by sanex, the one I got.

But can you see a midwife tomorrow? Just tell them that it's now stinging and they'll be able to check for any signs of infection. I'm sure it's fine but best to be safe.

cookingteaforsix · 30/10/2018 03:29

Congratulations! That's a very new baby.

I used a portable plastic bidet that you put over the toilet pan. It looks a bit like a mini baby bath for the loo.

Fill with warm water, lower yourself into it and very gently wash the area. Use a hair drier on cooler setting to dry afterwards. No tissue or rubbing.

The midwife said mine was the cleanest wound she'd ever seen.

GreenDinosaur · 30/10/2018 04:36

Have a warm bath with loads of salts if you can and put witch hazel pads in your knickers over the pads for a few days they are amazing!

preggersteach · 30/10/2018 04:39

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

preggersteach · 30/10/2018 04:39

And congratulations!!

GreenDinosaur · 30/10/2018 04:40

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

GreenDinosaur · 30/10/2018 04:41

---? Sorry, phone being weird.

Original poster

Bobbielee91 · 30/10/2018 05:56

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?

OP posts:

redandyellowand · 30/10/2018 06:19

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.

poppyseed2 · 30/10/2018 06:24

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.

NotSoThinLizzy · 30/10/2018 06:41

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

LetsHaveAnotherGo · 30/10/2018 06:46

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 😁

QforCucumber · 30/10/2018 06:49

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

Original poster

Bobbielee91 · 30/10/2018 14:12

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

OP posts:

Peanut91 · 30/10/2018 14:33

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

Viewoffriday · 30/10/2018 19:05

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.

GreenDinosaur · 30/10/2018 19:56

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.

sickmumma · 30/10/2018 21:27

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.

firstbubbadue · 31/10/2018 02:09

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

minniebow · 31/10/2018 02:34

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!

IWouldLikeToKnow · 31/10/2018 02:51

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.

Reccy2018 · 31/10/2018 02:54

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

Nothisispatrick · 31/10/2018 03:00

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.

FoxgloveStar · 31/10/2018 05:24

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

Original poster

Bobbielee91 · 01/11/2018 00:46

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!

OP posts:

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