Episiotomy delivery - tips for soreness and when can expect to feel better

[Pickles31]

Hi, I had my baby on Monday 19th November, and struggling at the moment to get comfortable due to having a Episiotomy and forceps delivery, I suffered a big tear which led to another tear internally and lost just over a litre of blood. I’ve been sore the last few days but managing in a rubber ring so I’m not putting pressure on my stiches etc but today I’m struggling even just sitting as it’s so uncomfortable: only position I found ok is laying sideways on the sofa with a pillow in between my legs. Does anyone have any tips on getting comfy or when I’m Likely to feel better? My hubby is off work with me this week helping but back at work next week and I worry about just even being able to sit with the baby comfortably. I don’t know if I just need to rest more?

I had an episiotomy and was in a lot of pain afterwards, so I sympathise. The dining chair was way too hard so I used a donut cushion. I also sat on a soft armchair with a soft square pillow on it for ages.

Someone suggested putting maternity pads in the freezer, which sounds a bit crazy but the cold brings relief. At my worst I also put a gel pack in the freezer and then wrapped it in a tea towel and tucked it between my legs.

Oh and keep on top of the pain relief, you can take ibuprofen and paracetamol together, and if you take them regularly it will help.

I can't remember how long it took me to recover but it was a while I'm afraid, I got through lots of ibuprofen and paracetamol. (I did get mastitis as well though!)

PS if you're breastfeeding, practise the side lying position, it was an absolute life saver for me especially in the beginning

Do you have any witch hazel? Get some and soak some sterile dressing squares with it put directly on your stitches. Get tea tree oil for the bath every evening too. Can get all in local chemist or Amazon.

Lavendar oil in bath or on your pad is good too. I wore 2 maternity pads at a time one right up the front one going up the back gives more cushioning too. Gym ball might be easier as a seat.

I used gel packs in the freezer too. I was much improved within two weeks I think. Although I did something to my coccyx which took much longer to heal and also took a while for me to realise the pain wasn't coming from the episiotomy. Congratulations on the baby, hope you feel better soon

Day 4 & 5 after birth were by far the worst.
After that, things got better.

I used arnicare liquid (from Boots) in a bath everyday which I felt helped soothe the area.
I've heard good reviews about the Expert Midwife's Spritz for Bits spray too. Although I havent tried it I have bought some for baby 2 due next month.

I'm due to have my first in January but have been highly recommended the Expert Midwife Spritz for Bits - I have a friend who used it after her episiotomy and found it healed particularly well. It's expensive but might be worth a try if you're struggling xxx

I was like this for around 3 weeks. I was using witch hazel regularly in the bath then started using tcp which I think helped a lot (if you can cope with the smell). I also read on here about pads causing more discomfort and to try wrapping cotton wool pads in kitchen roll then using that in place of a pad. Obviously not of bleeding heavy and u will need to change a lot more regular but honestly I found this 100x more comfortable than wearing pads, I definitely think the ones I was using were slowing the healing process and causing me more pain. Time heals though and you will soon be back to normal, although you certainly won't feel like that at the moment!

I had a terrible time recovering from episiotomy with my dad 8 weeks ago. I really sympathise. I got infected and was in absolute agony! They prescribed me diclofenac for the pain which is suitable if you're bf. It was absolutely fantastic and helped me function just a little more. Other than that I just used arnica tablets which were so helpful even with internal bruising. I noticed a huge difference with those. I also used tea tree in the bath and that really helped. I would also spend some time lying on the bed and letting the air get to the wound. It's terribly painful- sorry you're goi g through it!

Thanks everyone, I think I’m going to call the midwife tomorow as I’m a little Concerned as the blood that is coming out on the pad smells not very nice and I’m not sure if that’s normal or not. I’ve been bathing in baths every day and changing pads regularly and also airing the area but the smell still is there and I’m worried I might be infected on the stiches inside but cannot see. It may well be normal the smell but I’m not sure so want to get checked just incase. Does anyone else know if the blood smell should smell slightly odd or not?

I would definitely get them to take a swab to check for an infection. I had to take 2 different types of antibiotics for my wound. I noticed it was also seeping blood at the time of the infection as well as having the post partum bleed.

I also found that I had that smell for weeks after giving birth! I know they say it shouldn't smell foul but to me, it did!

Poor you. I remember wishing they could amputate everything from the waist down after DS’s forceps birth. I also had internal damage, stitches and a damaged coccyx, plus SPD. I seem to remember the lochia being a bit smelly - like the tail end of a period - but I think it’s worth seeing a doctor anyway. Much better for them to tell you it’s normal than not go and it be retained placenta or similar. Don’t worry about “wasting their time” it’s absolutely what they’re there for.

I ended up with a UTI too, and after calling the out of hours service, they sent a first response ambulance (which was embarrassing!). They thought I should have diclofenac but only had suppositories in their stock, so they gave me those. They were slow release ones that I only had to take every 16 hours, which was actually better than having to take pills.

Thanks ladies, I’ve just called the emergency midwife advice number and spoken to a midwife on delivery suite, she doesn’t think it’s infected from what I told her and said there is an old blood smell from the locia, she said if I was still concerned that I could call in the morning and they would get a midwife to come and check stiches tomorrow at my house.

The lochia does smell and you can unfortunately detect a horrible meaty smell when you open your legs e.g. on the toilet. I believe it's your uterus healing the wound where the placenta detached. I chucked salt in a bath every day for a week and took lots of paracetamol. It got better about 12 days after birth for me.

@hammeringinmyhead yes this is the smell I get, I really can’t wait for it to start getting fully better, I’ve been Lucky that my husband has been helping out with our baby so I can rest a bit more when it’s causing me pain. Yes I have been using Epsom salts every day but am also going to try witch hazel tomorow, my mother inlaw is going to pick me some up in the morning. I also find going to the loo awkward due to the pain and having a catheter in so I’ve been weeing in the bath and using a jug of warm water to pour over myself then I clean all the bath out. It’s a pain to do it that way but I find it much easier. Also having horrid black poops due to having to take iron tablets due to loss of blood, I defo recommend taking lactulose too. So glad mumsnet is around to talk to u and all the other ladies for advice etc

You mean he's been looking after his baby, not helping

I feel so sorry for you. Just take the time to heal and use al the help you can get. I was too sore to even pick my dd up - walking and moving, sitting, standing everything hurt! It gets better. Definitely use tea tree and witch hazel if you can. I also found it really helped to lean to the left when peeing as it stopped the pee running down the episiotomy which was on the right! But the jug of water also helps. Take your time to heal up.

Bless you! I feel your pain, quite literally. My stitches broke down though sadly so I'm having to heal without them, but it does mean I'm under a specialist Gynae so I will tell you the advice they have given me :)

My actually says to avoid baths, but if they're helping you go for it - just be aware that if you soak for too long your stitches can dissolve quicker. I was advised to shower with lukewarm water as often as possible, and avoid putting cleaning products on the area as that can irritate your wound.

Pads in the fridge or freezer is a good idea, I also use cotton reusable pads now my lochia has lessened because I find them softer and less likely to rub.

Lay down and air as much as possible. Just put an old towel underneath you! When I do sit down I don't use a donut cushion, I sit on soft pillows or roll up two towels and place one under each leg. I was told not to use a donut cushion but I'm honestly not sure why?!

I always thought mine smelt but apparently if it's infected you can smell it from across the room!

I hope you heal quickly! Xx

Argh. Bringing back the memories. My baby is now just 4months. I couldn’t walk for the first two weeks. I had to lower myself into the bath and everything hurt. I couldn’t stand up or sit down without gasping in pain.
I just want to say that I thought after the first week that I would need months and months to heal, if healing was even ever possible. Suddenly in week two it started to hurt less, I reduced my constant pain killers, and then each day it improved and improved and now 4 months later it’s a distant memory.
I just want to reassure you that it can definitely get better - I know it’s hard but try not to despair.
I would rest as much as possible. Like stay in bed all day, ask your partner to just bring the baby for feeds. I remember feeling like I could spend a month in bes. Rest as much as possible.
I used arnica for bruising on my coccyx, arnica orally, witchhazel for my piles and external piles (ouch!!). I bought some pads that could freeze on Amazon but they didn’t work. I just lay on my side with a towel underneath and an ice compress.

Good luck and I hope the cuddles with the little one are helping soothe the pain

I had similar - felt miles and miles better by 2 weeks and was happily going for walks in the countryside with the sling at 3 weeks pp. The midwife should come round and check your stitches and swab for infection if you’re worried.

The only thing surprising me is all this talk of baths? I was told showers only for 2 weeks after an epesiotomy as soaking the stitches makes healing time longer? I showered twice a day with a hand held shower attachment and air dried and healed really well? Were you advised that baths were a good idea?

I remember thinking myself that surely a bath isn't a great idea? But every midwife i met all advised baths and when I was really bad they told me twice a day with the tea tree oil. When I started doing that I really did notice a difference.
I was told to then keep it clean and dry. I had spritz for bits but was too afraid to use it as it made the area wet!

Bath is fine but not for longer than 5 minutes otherwise you might dissolve the stitches.
Dont take paracetamol and ibuprofen together. Take one then 2 hrs later take the other - that way u will always be on some pain relief.