Episiotomy / stitches / tear

[RGxo13]

Hey everyone
delivered my beautiful boy on 1/8/23
sadly had to be delivered with foreceps after a long day of Labour and this meant I had an episiotomy and a grade 2 tear. When would I be allowed a bath again? I keep getting conflicting info!
midwife in the hospital said don’t get a bath for two weeks as it will shrink stitches but a lot of other people have told me to get a bath with badedas in to soothe them?
I love having baths so the sooner the better but don’t want an infected wound or to end up being restitched!

I was actually advised to have baths! With Epsom salts added to soothe, reduce inflammation and promote healing. It says this is still advised when you look online. Not sure why they are saying otherwise. I also had an episiotomy and stiches.

Hope you are manging okay with everything. It's a very strange time in the week and months after giving birth. You want to rest, but are also given a baby to sustain!

@67pennies this is music to my ears! Most of my female relatives have all said they were advised to take a bath too but obviously the last thing I want is to damage the wound any further.

thank you! It’s definitely been strange. I’m fiercely independent but have realised that I actually need to let my body rest. Luckily I have a really supportive partner who has helped by doing lots of running round, passing me baby when he needs feeding etc.

i think the thing I was most unprepared for is the post Labour healing. I am constantly wondering if what I’m feeling ‘downstairs’ is normal. Had a lot of stinging for the first 5 days, been using peri bottle to help with toileting but the pain was really bad. Battled through with that which has now reduced but now I am getting an almost heavy, pulling feeling. Have to keep reminding myself of what my body has just been through and to relax and stop overthinking as it’s only been one week :)

I def had a bath every day with some tea tree oil, the first would have been the day after he was born I think!

Hello! Congratulations on your birth!
I gave birth on 13th July; I also had an episiotomy and a 3rd (3a) degree tear, with a ventouse. I had to stay in hospital until the 15th as I had a blood transfusion done. While at the hospital, I had showers. I was home
on night of the 15th, and the next day, I got in the bath and sat it in for 15-20mins. Since coming home, I take baths every day and even now. I haven’t heard anything about it causing infections or affecting down below. I didn’t ask the midwife, but my mum advised me to take daily baths with salt, and a week later,
started taking baths with dettol instead of salt. Now, I add Epsom salt only, to see if it helps too.

If it’s any help, I had my stitches and all checked, midwives told me it’s healing well. Of course, I’m still a bit bruised and feeling sore; I assume that will take time to feel better, but I find the baths really helpful as it’s relaxing.

I had an episiotomy and was told I could have a 5min lukewarm bath everyday for 6 weeks pp with some Epsom salts or just water. No bubble bath or soap etc. I was advised to do it to prevent infection and it worked well.
I hope you heal quickly.

@StillWantingADog @chillin12 ahh this is good to know! Did you find it stung when you first got in? Just want to be prepared?

@abbs1 thanks so much for replying. I’m defo going to try one tonight. Glad to hear it’s worked for you.

Noo, surprisingly - it didn’t sting in the bath and actually helped numb the discomfort!

Episiotomy with DS1, 2nd degree tear with DS2. Followed this advice sent to me by my midwife (except the water pouring bit- just stayed well hydrated and leant forward when weeing), and sprayed Spritz for Bits around the general area on my maternity pads after every loo visit

I’m a midwife and had two babies, also pregnant with 3rd 🤗 I recommend daily bath and shower to help keep stitches clean. Just 10mins in a bath with tea tree oil, then lie on your bed on a towel with legs open to let the area air and dry. I did this with my 3rd degree tear also, it’s very soothing