how to cope with stitches after birth???

[Butterflyy20]

so i tore quite badly after having my baby inside the muscle and on the skin and i also have grazes all over which obviously aren't stitched. i'm uncomfortable walking but when i wee it is absolute torture, i shake in pain it's that bad. Any ways on how to cope with stitches or any tricks to numb it just a bit. it's killing me! thanks in advance

Lean forward when you are weeing and have a squeezy water bottle at the ready and pour the water over your bits as you are going to the toilet as it will dilute the wee. Keep yourself dosed up on paracetamol/ibuprofen

Bath twice a day in warm water not boiling hot and add tea tree oil and lavender oil - this helped me a lot.

Better still, wee in a luke warm bath for massive pain relief.
Lavender essential oil in the bath a couple of times a day to wash away lochia.
Avoid sanitary pads in favour of cotton cloth pads, or even just neatly folded cotton terry flannels in your knickers. Natural fibres are much better at wicking away sweat, secretions and lochia. Just chuck in the washing machine when done. I ordered 28 cotton terry flannels on Amazon with next day delivery for a pittance the day after DC1 was born, never looked back. A couple of drops of lavender essential oil on these as well is bliss. Kept in the freezer (dry), they're super soothing when first put in your pants.
Air your vulva and perenneum as much as you can; lie with a bare bum on a towel in bed and spread or raise your legs on a pillow to get as much fresh air circulating in the area as possible.
Take Arnica tablets (available from most chemists) for swelling and bruising.
Wishing you all the best and a swift recovery

One thing not been suggested but very easy to do, is drink water predominantly which will dilute your urine, in addition to the other suggestions, that should make it more comfortable as it won’t sting as much. Plus you won’t be anxious going for a wee thinking it’ll hurt, as it won’t.

Witch Hazel (from chemist) on your maternity pads will be cooling and soothing.
I never got on with using a water bottle for pouring water on while weeing, I used a very soft plastic container from a large Xmas pudding as I could pinch the sides together make the best shape.
I think you are OK to take paracetamol while breastfeeding, which might take the edge off.

Jug with warm water. Add 5 to 7 drops of tea tree oil. Pour on lady parts as you wee with the flow. Arnica.

I used the spritz for bits spray it was brilliant. If you Google it you can read about it.

Spritz for bite sprayed on pads and directly in yourself before and after using the toilet.

On yourself not in!

When I had my stitches with my second I was told not to have a bath as they needed to be kept as dry as possible, I wasn't told this with my first so not sure if it's a new thing or if different midwives and doctors just give different advice

Another vote for spritz for bits! Sprayed it onto every pad and by the time I was discharged from midwife care after 2 weeks my episiotomy had healed so well you could barely see the scar!

Definitely lean forward when you were, hands to the floor if you can, steers it right away from that part of you.

Another vote for spritz for bits. The rest of the stuff they sell is crap but that is worth the money imo.

GP also told me to take salt baths regularly to help ease pain and kill off any potential infection.

Also don't slide about on your bum, like sliding up the bed or sofa etc. Sounds obvious but made a real difference to me once pointed out.

Good luck and remember it doesn't last forever

If you use essential oils in the bath make sure you mix them first with milk or vodka/gin to disperse the oils through the water, otherwise you risk a blob of eo on your skin/your stitches and they are too concentrated for that to be a good idea. Lavender prob ok but tea tree oil would sting.

Sprinkle epsom salts in your bath when it is running, put a splash of milk with lavender essential oil mixed in just before you get in. Good for both episiotomy stitches & C section scars. Press a clean flannel on to dry & finish off with a hairdryer on a cool setting. Take arnica tablets to reduce the bruising & use a squirty bottle with warm water & witch hazel when you wee. Freeze maternity pads with witch hazel on them to wear.

I had a jug of warm water to pour on myself while weeing

The grazes were my far the most painful for me.

Agree with others especially the drinking LOADS and LOADS especially if you are also breastfeeding.

This is what the MW did for me in hospital:
Iced water, splash of milk, couple of drops of lavender oil.
Soak maternity pads (or cloth pads suggested above), squeeze a little to remove some of the water and keep in your knickers. Change regularly.

Ask your MW / GP to check your stitches are not infected.

It's horrible OP but it will pass. Enjoy your new baby.