Itchy down there after giving birth / no stitches

[Rainforest453]

Hi all

I gave birth 3 days ago, today it's starting to itch down there. I'd say around the opening and maybe inside aswelp I can't tell.

I had a 1st degree tear, MW said it was small and not worth stitching at all because it will heal on it's own. I have read a lot about itchy stitches but is it possible to itch down there without stitches and for it to be normal as i've had a vaginal birth?

I have been using the lil-lets pads but the bleeding has slowed down so can probably change to a thinner, more breathable pad now

Thanks in advance

Hiya, don't want to leave you hanging so thought I'd pop a reply here - I'm no expert and had stitches myself after second degree tear but I'd think that any tear that is then healing involves itching - just like any bodily injury, very normal. Also as you say, all the pads, wiping, general lack of air on the area. I had horrible itching around that time and when I could took the pad/pants off and just lay on a towel for a bit to air it all out. Also a rinse with cool water seemed to help. Feels like adding insult to injury after all your bits have already gone through!

And congrats on your 4 day old bubba!

You need to take a look with a mirror or have someone take a look. It could just be healing skin, but if things have gotten a bit sweaty and moist, it could also be a fungal infection on the skin. They are pretty easy to spot so an intimate partner could probably take a look.

Will you be seeing midwife or health visitor soon? They could have a look see if you've got a bit of thrush or something. Or like above it could be the skin healing? X
Aw brand new baby 🥰

If you are sure it is not infected, I'd put some Lasinoh lanolin nipple salve on there to make the skin more stretchy and heal better. It will itch less too hopefully.

Congratulations.

I had a 1st degree tear with no stitches. Found it itchy as I healed, I did get checked for infection though just to be on the safe side.

As a poster above suggested, when I knew I had a slot of time, I’d take a shower and lay in bed on a towel just to let the area ‘breathe’.

Something else that could be causing itching (did with me) is the pads you're using - some cause issues and for me make me really sore after using for a few days :(

Ah thank you all for your replies, I really appreciate it. So I changed to the thinner pads that night and the itching has gone now. I have a midwife appt on day 10 where they said they'll take a look for me to makesure all is well. In the meantime I will be sure to let the area breathe as you have suggested to avoid any infections etc :) thanks once again

Yes snap. Had the same. It was itchy as the skin started to heal I had a graze. The itching went away after a couple weeks. I found applying alovera gel (pure) witch hazelnonto my pads very very soothing. And using sitz bath with the epa salts.
My midwife also checked every visit and at 8 weeks Gp had a look and said all was fine.
I didn't feel normal down there until 4/5 weeks postpartum and that was with a graze. No pain. Just felt different.

My midwife suggested when I nurse just to have nothing on and legs open to allow it to dry. I used natural cotton pads and after 4 days started to use reusable cotton pads.

@MixedCouple thank you for sharing that with me. I posted too soon and the itching is still there, so will give Witch Hazel a go to soothe the area. It's so uncomfortable!! I'm glad to hear though that it can be normal to itch without stitches. I'll keep an eye anyway. Mw said to definitely take them up on the offer on day 10 to have a look down there for peace of mind knowing all is well