Help on stitches

[comeonbaby]

Hello ladies,

Please someone help me!

I had a very traumatic birth 6 days ago that resulted in a episiotomy and a 4th degree tear 😰😵
My episiotomy cut goes out to the side on my right side, and finding my underwear/pad realllllllyyyyyyy aggravating things.
I had to go back to delivery yesterday as feeling very unwell and had some swabs taken as one stitch looks slightly infected, already on ABX though.

Anyway.....any advice on comfy underwear I could wear that don't sit directly on top of the wound? And that can still wear a pad in?
And any advice on really comfy pads? I'm using Lilets atm but find they keep bunching up which results in hard lumps in the pad that I think is also causing aggravation....

Any tips would be amazing!!

I can't bath atm so unable as per consultant advice so unable to salt bath for at least another week as have a very nasty tear deep inside that goes from top of cervix to my bowel 😵🥺

Oh bless you that sounds hard.

Have you thought about tena underwear? Saves you trying to put a pad on so shouldn’t bunch up.

I can't advise on pad brands as I'm in Australia...
But I used cloth pads post-partum, have been using cloth for 5 years with my periods, I prefer them to disposables for comfort.

A tip my MIL gave me was to freeze some condoms filled with water, then put them in your underwear between your pad and underwear.
You may waddle, but it is amazing how well the ice helps with the pain.

Jesus op you poor thing. If you're very swollen then the frozen condom works well, I also made a pad shape out of a bag of frozen peas which helped.
Definitely agree with tena pants/incontinence pants so there's less chance of anything catching. Really hope you feel better soon and congratulations on your lovely new baby!

I tore with each of my 3 dc. The best pads were the cheapest mattress like ones as they're so thick and soft. They didn't bunch up but did make me waddle a bit! Large granny pants were very comfy too and helped to hold my jelly belly in which was a bonus.

You poor thing OP!

Lilets pads are awful (DH bought some in a late night panic when my preferred ones ran out)... personally I love the boots ones. They're the same type as you get given at hospital - super soft, big and very padded. I would highly recommend them. I'm still wearing them at almost 3 weeks PP, although my bleeding doesn't require something so thick, but I just love them!

I think sort the pad and you won't need to worry too much about type of underwear... but I am wearing Sainsbury's full briefs, in a size up from my normal size, and they are doing a great job.

Hope you make a full recovery ASAP.

Thank you so much ladies...

I didn't think about the tena pants.,. As you're right, they shouldn't bunch up as all connected! I have got a tena pad on atm instead of the lillet which my mum got today and already more comfy, but bunching a little. Will get some knicker pads tomorrow and give a go!

I can honestly say this has been the most horrific experience I've ever had.

My labour progressed too quickly and I was rushed into theatre for emergency forceps. Wouldn't of been quite so bad if I didn't get the traumatic 4th degree tear I have inside as it's quite high up. I had to have a colon consultant attend theatre to stitch me back up and he warned of I don't heal well o may have to have a stoma
To allow my body to heal as the wound is at risk of becoming one (noonie and bowel) so I'm trying everything to reduce risk of infection to help it all heal!

I take my hat off to women who have more than one child as I will never do it again 😂

I used both Tena pants and the boots thick and slimline pads and both are fab! I had second degree tear with some particularly scratchy external stitches so I feel your pain OP!

Wishing you a speedy recovery and congratulations on the birth of your LO x

Gosh that sounds awful, poor you OP.

I had a pretty gnarly 3rd degree tear that was aggravated by the seams of my underwear, I ended up using dp's trunk boxer shorts in the end and found them a lot more comfy. They were snug enough to hold pad in place but not too tight to be uncomfy.
for you though, all luck for a speedy recovery.

I also has episiotomy and I found the boots own brand pads to be reallt comfy. To start with I overlapped 2 pads which helped and took a pillow with me to sit on

@Peanut91 I too have a pillow that has become my best friend!!
I've just been reading up on 4th degree tears and didn't realize how bad it was 🙉 just hope I recover well will no lasting effects xx

Boots thick pads were the best for me. I also spent a lot of time lying on a towel airing my stitches and I think that did make a difference. Big full briefs from M&S were comfy enough (although I did buy them just for labour and they’ve become a staple like another poster I also used my husband’s boxers. If you don’t already, get a plastic jug for wees and don’t go near loo roll.

Luckily so far I've not needed a jug....
I was warned by consultant no tissue, so only dabbing with a water wipe after using the toilet and 100% cotton for after shower to dab. Would love a bath but not aloud atm 😩

I also recommend the Boots thick maternity pads and M&S knickers that are 2 sizes bigger than you need.

I could have written this myself 4.5 years ago!
I to had an episiotomy and it also teared even more than the cut and went off into my left almost groin. Which was classed as 4th degree
Was horrific! I was walking like a duck for well over a week!
I used tenna lady pads the biggest ones i could get my hand on they where as comfy as it got.
I also used to bath for 20/30 mins every night with some salt in there.
I'm not sure if that's recommend anymore mind.
I still get throbbing down below now especially when I'm sat on loo for too long or on my period.
Hope you feel better soon op

I used mothercare pads and was advised by HV to put a couple of drops of lavender oil and tea tree in them to promote healing (I know there’s mixed thoughts about adding the oils) I sat on an ice pad when needed and alternated paracetamol and ibuprofen. I hope you heal well and quickly

I sympathise hugely OP, I've been there!
I second PP recommendations of the Tena pants and also the Boots mat pads - I wore two together.

When you can manage a bath I like salt, tea tree oil and lavender oil mixed in and it was so soothing.

Also, you need to get a valley cushion! I used mine for three weeks and it made me feel more human being able to sit down as otherwise I was only able to lie on one side or stand. I rented mine from a company online - it was a bit expensive but it helped loads.

How are you getting on OP?

All these episiotomy stories are scaring me half to death.. Im 37 weeks and baby could come any time. I hate the idea of tearing down there as it can get quite itchy and smelly there ugh.

I made my husband buy me icepacks with disposable liner - we got them from Mothercare at the time. they are for C-section and epsiotomy stitches. Oh the relief!!! Massive wedges of maternity pads and VERY big knickers. Sometimes even going pad-less to air the stitches. Then peeing whilst running luke warm water over bits, or better, wee in the shower or bath. Hang in there, I never thought I would walk or ride a bike again, but it all ended up healing fine.

I would recommend the disposable incontinence pants, there is less chance of leakage as they have a higher abdorbancy than pads, plus an edging that stops leaks. Whilst I don't have stitches, I suffer from chronic thrush due to being on long term antibiotics & my skin often looks as if I have been burnt, it blisters & breaks due to the inflammation of the thrush & the pain is awful, the underwear means I can slather myself in cream & also put cream on the inside of the underwear to soothe the pain & itching. You could put witch hazel & lavender oil on the inside & freeze them to soothe your pain.

As others have said air the stitches as much as possible it really helps healing if they aren’t damp all the time. A hairdryer set to the coolest setting aimed at them also really helped me.
I bathed in lavender and tea tree oils and also added them to the boots maternity pads and found it very soothing. I also made up a spray bottle with a couple of drops of the oils in and would spritz my bits over the toilet or bath if they were feeling sore.

Congratulations on your new baby and lots of , that sounds tough. I started with Tena pants then moved on to H&M hipster shorts in the next size up which were/are really comfortable. Much better than granny pants as they don't have elastic on the legs, just soft cotton seams - it definitely reduced the uncomfy pad bunching for me, and are also great when you no longer need pads as there is no elastic to rub on the scar.

Thank you ladies for all the recommendations.ive been wearing the tena lady extra plus and they are comfy, with mahoosive asda undies!

I've been sitting at night in a nightie with my leg out to one side and my knickers loose to allow air in.

Midwife checked stitches and said all healing well and looks like a really neat job done 👌🏼
All swabs come back clear too!

I'm going to give the H&M recommendation of undies a go as sounds good for after to not aggravate scar.

Just have to hope my internal stitches are healing just as good and done just as good as was a different surgeon and hope I recover with no lasting issues..

I used the boots or tesco great big maternity pads, i poured witch hazel on them and put them in the freezer for about half an hour before use. Oh my goodness the sheer relief was just amazing.