Episiotomy recovery advice

[PL2021]

Hey all, this might all be a bit TMI but I'm just after some advice for my recovery from my episiotomy.

My swelling has reduced a lot and I don't have too much soreness at all, however I do have a little 'bump' right next to my butt hole and I was just wondering if anyone knows what it could be. Is it the knot of the stitches possibly? It isn't really painful, just in the way when I wipe and feels very odd.

I have also had a couple of issues with not getting to the toilet in time for a number 2 but it's only happened a couple of times. I have been doing my kegal exercises, but I was just wondering if this is normal. I am only 7 days post partum so I guess it could just take a while for things to get back to normal down there? I'm just stressing myself that this will last forever!!

I also have had some milk blebs on my nipples (I am solely pumping) which have gone down but now seem to be stuck there as layers of skin and I'm starting to pump less each time meaning my breasts are getting full. I'm assuming this is because of the skin blocking the flow? Can I get rid of the dead skin somehow?

So sorry for the long and probably too detailed post. Just getting myself down with all these little problems

I had one and they are very painful aren't they.
Tbh I didn't touch mine, I would be careful not to for infection.
Ring your MW to come out and check for you.
It took me more towards 3 weeks to feel no pain and go to toilet without pain etc.
Your very early post partum.
It's worth a check to get things ruled out.

Agree I'd get it looked at, just to make sure its healing ok. It could just be a bump of scar tissue but can't be too careful.

I took baths in epsom salts when I had mine and found those hugely soothing and seemed to help with healing.

I would get it checked out too, and ask for an early referral to a women's health physio regarding your continence in case it doesn't improve and you need to be seen.

With the bump down below, I had a few of these after my episiotomy too but they didn't hurt and went away on their own after a while and were just part of the healing process. Part of my stitches was also like a little bump and was so painful when I sat down/wiped but it did ease after a while. Could you use a mirror to have a look to see if it is your stitches or something separate? Also if you are still getting check ups from midwives, they should be happy to have a check to make sure all looks OK too.

Thanks everyone, I'm due to see the midwife in a couple of days so I'll ask her to check for me then!

In the meantime I am going to take your advice and try some Epsom salt baths to see if that speeds up recovery. I am still on antibiotics and have been since birth so I'm wondering whether that is not helping with the slight incontinence part as a side effect of them can be diarrhea. Thankfully it's my last day of them today so perhaps thinks will get better still!

Girrrrl I had diarrhea through most my pregnancy and immediately after!
In the hospital when you have to show your wee I had poo in there!
I was very happy not to get bunged up!

Also with pumping, your right in that it isn't as effective as baby on boob. I had terrible nipples in the first few weeks. Bleeding. Total mess. Did a lot of pumping to rest them! I don't have anything helpful to say re milk plebs but again, if MW checking your foof then get the nipples out too why not!

Good luck. Sounds like you're doing so well just a week in!!

I also had a little lump which went quickly. I assumed it was just tissue healing. I wasn't checked as often as Id have liked. Had to push for it. Midwives signed me off too early in my opinion!

I went to GP at 8w and she suggested not having sex as it wasn't healed (I had no plans to!)...so mine took quite a while to heal but honestly...looks absolutely fine now!

Hey...midwife here. Totally get your midwife to have a look when you next see her but the little bump you describe sounds quite normal to me and it will go down...had one myself that took about 4 weeks to fully go. Call her before if you notice that it suddenly starts hurting more or smells offensive as there could be an infection. In regards to the incontinence, don't overdo it with the Kegal exercises now. Just do 5 slow and 5 fast twice a day for now. Increase it by a couple every few days. I always recommend that women get a women's health physio review at 8 weeks or so...may have to go private as not so easy to get on the NHS. One appointment can work wonders though. We don't actually recommend Epsom salt baths anymore...they draw moisture out of the tissues and can actually delay healing. Just keep the area clean and try and find 20 mins or so 1-2 times a day where you can sit/lie in bed without a pad on and expose it to the air. HTH and congratulations on your little one.

Thank you everyone for your advice. I love how I can always turn to mumsnet for support

I already have my telephone physio appointment booked up for the beginning of December which is fab!

Not making it to the toilet is awful, it should get better over time. I had no feeling under there for a while. Disposable pants were a god send. I healed with a little bump there too and was all normal. Your midwife should be checking you over to see how you're healing.
I was told by midwife and hospital not to take baths in Epsom salts. I couldn't go in a bath anyway with the pain.

Regarding the skin growing over your nipple I had this too & was the only reason personally for drop in what I could pump/getting engorged & not being able to get relief. It's prob not recommended but I sterilised a needle & picked the skin that was causing the blockage off. The relief was immediate!

This also was my solution when a single tiny piece of dressing gown fluff managed to cause a blockage too.

Hope your episiotomy heals up soon - I also remember the tiny bump but it's gone now. As long as it's not painful you're probably okay but good you'll be seeing midwife soon anyway - my midwife took a look and I was reassured to have her opinion on whether she thought it as healing well or not.

Congratulations on your new baby!