Episiotomy

[watermelonsugar99]

Hi, just wanting a bit of advice.
I had my baby on Tuesday (6 days ago) after an hour of pushing in labour I was rushed to surgery for forceps and an episiotomy. I was discharged the day after with iron tablets as I lost quite a lot of blood.

I know it's early days but I'm still struggling so much with the pain, I take paracetamol and ibuprofen regularly and try to keep the area as clean as I can. I still can't walk properly without pain nor can I sit down, even if I try sitting on my side. I asked the midwife to check my stitches and she said they seem okay but she can't see them inside so she doesn't know how they're healing there. I'm really struggling as my partner is back at work next week & I don't think I'm going to be able to cope on my own, since getting out of hospital I've been crying constantly and feeling guilty. I can't even get up during the night to get baby as it takes me about 10 minutes to try get out of bed. Did anyone else have a similar experience? How was everyone's recovery with an episiotomy as I've heard so many horror stories which is not helping my anxiety!!

Any tips for a faster recovery? Using a peri bottle every time I go to the toilet and spritz for bits on my pad every time it gets changed

@Oldestchild90s I'm 9 weeks and I still sting if I sit down for wee, I stand up over the toilet as the wee only goes in one direction and I've not had any stinging for a long time if I do this! For my swabs, the GP didn't collect wee except to diagnose my bladder infections, they took a swab of the actual wound with a cotton bud type - I wonder if that's where your doc is going wrong, if you don't have a bladder infection it won't show in your wee, and likewise if you've got a skin infection it won't show there either! Push for a swab if your in pain, mine took a few days to come back from the lab each time but getting the right antibiotics is vital to help healing. For me, my skin is still granulated so GP explained it is still in healing process and stinging with wee is normal at this stage, it doesn't sting with water or soap anymore though, presumably because there's a lot of acid in wee! X

@Boomclaps have you been back to the GP for more antibiotics? Xx

@Ree91 Hi, thanks for the update!! I feel like that could be potentially what is happening with me! I had one swab weeks ago and had different antibiotics but this time they've just tested my wee, this is what the GP messaged me yesterday (if the photo shows) and when she rang me she said she's sent the sample off to the lab. If it comes back saying everything is fine then I'll definitely push for having a swab. I'm glad you're feeling better and you've got the infection under control, great news! My skin is also bruised that's why I haven't braved the shave either haha xx

@Oldestchild90s I'm not too sure if you've been doing it already but I got told to drink mainly water. I was so scared of my wee stinging that I haven't had any other drink apart from water since giving birth. I'm absolutely desperate for something fizzy but I'm petrified of feeling it sting.. the more water you drink the more diluted your wee will be :) x

@watermelonsugar99 yeah sounding likely youve got a bladder infection based on your wee, although my GP diagnosed my bladder infection there and then by dipping a stick of some sort in it, and it was only the swabs of my wound that were sent to the lab. Even if it does come back with an infection, still push for a swab as antibiotics for your episiotomy are likely to be different ones needed to treat a bladder infection. It's such a tough recovery but it honestly does get better once the infection clears up! I've not stuck to water, needed energy drinks for the late nights and early mornings - try the standing up for a wee, it doesn't touch your episiotomy and therefore shouldn't sting, worked really well for me! X

Have any of you ladies thought about what you'll do for your next pregnancy? I've hands down decided I'm requesting an elective, would have recovered quicker from that had I had one initially! X

@Ree91 I thought I might have because its my bladder that hurts when I'm having a wee.. maybe tmi but did your discharge after the bleeding go yellow? I've read online that it's normal for it to go yellow but I'm not convinced.. I have no idea how I'm getting through the late nights without energy drinks! The struggle is real haha. Oh I've already told DP that whilst I'm only 20 and still have numerous tears to have another one it will not be happening😂 but if I did then I would opt for an elective! I wish I had one for this birth xx

• Numerous years

@watermelonsugar99 ironically, I was offered an emcs or to try for forceps with only 3 contractions and then they would do the emcs if forceps failed, and I told myself I didn't want the horrific recovery of an emcs so I'd try for the forceps first! No one warns you about the complications of episiotomy though! My bleeding stopped about 4 to 5 weeks, and my discharge was all shades of yellow and green for another 3 weeks or so which was the infection. I'm still getting some now, but it's more of a white colour now, although I haven't had my first period yet. Doc thinks it could be because of the trauma so far which isn't great! You're definitely showing all the signs I had and I was riddled with infections. I too had pain when weeing, felt like my bladder was so heavy but again antibiotics quickly sorted them out, although I got another one about a week later! Haha I was the same, swore black and blue I would never have another when I was about 5 weeks pp, starting to see light at the end of the tunnel now and could be persuaded with an elective! X

@Ree91 oh I didn't have a choice, I had no idea they were going to do an episiotomy they failed to mention that. I just say had enough time to sign the form before I was rushed down to theatre.. yeah my bleeding stopped from 3-4 weeks and then had the odd spotting until last week but now it's yellow, haven't had green just yet haha! Oh god I really hope I'm not riddled with infections, I struggle with what antibiotics I can take as allergic to penicillin and lactose 😩 I mean I would love a little girl so I have one of each but the thought of going through another horrible pregnancy, labour and then the postpartum period? Count me out haha xx

@watermelonsugar99 shocking isn't it, I said to my dp if this wound was anywhere else on my body I likely would have been hospitalised, put on a drip and had it restitched or cauterize, but because it isn't and we've just had a baby, everyone is so quick to blame it on labour and give it time as it will heal - they forget how hard it is looking after a baby and having an extra painful hole!! Honestly not to worry you, but sounds so much like my recovery. Look at the positives though, if it is infected at least it can be treated and with the right tablets, they work quickly! Yeah I feel exactly the same, it's strange because until my wound opened, I didn't actually feel that bad when I was being discharged and the day I got home, bit sore and tired but nothing major so I likely would have coped a lot better! X

@Ree91 exactly! I was sick of telling the midwife or the GP about potential infection signs at the beginning and being told "you've just had a hard labour it'll be down to that, just try and recover" I was in pain from the beginning, once all the pain relief wore off and I had to go down to the car park I told them I wasn't in too much pain and I could walk down, complete lie, but I didn't want to be in hospital any longer because the after care was horrific! I'm hoping these next antibiotics work but not feeling too hopeful after the last two didn't! X

@watermelonsugar99 it's normal, mine took 10 lots so try not to worry. How did your doc appt go? X

@Ree91 they didn't even bother ringing me back. They were supposed to ring yesterday tea time and no phone call then thought they'd ring today but still no call. Absolutely useless!! Xx

@watermelonsugar99 shocking, ring them in the morning and put your stern voice on! The longer it's left, the longer it'll take for you to heal x

Paracetamol and ibuprofen?! Fuck that. You need codeine or tramadol for that sort of thing. Pronto.

Soz just seen date of your original OP. But still, cant believe you only had those lame painkillers for such terrible pain! Its cruel. I would be taking codeine as a minimum for that.

I haven’t RTFT but has anyone mentioned using a site bath filled with warm water to ease pain and swelling? It was recommended to me and made the area feel so much better. It’s this type of www.walmart.com/ip/Foldable-Plastic-Sitz-Bath-Tubs-Perineal-Hemorrhoidal-Episiotomy-Soak-Relief/

Probably no use if you’ve got an infection but thought I’d mention it. Hope you feel better really soon. 💐

*sitz not site

I had an episiotomy with my first baby and ended up having 3 rounds of antibiotics to clear the infection. I can still remember gripping the chair in the Gp waiting room unable to sit down but still very unsteady on my feet after a pph. What a barrel of laughs! After 5 weeks or so the infection was gone but I still didn't feel 'right' so I went to the post natal ward and they said that the stitches were healing very slowly, from the inside first which you can't see for yourself. It was reassuring and they were happy to see me. So I'd recommend that route if you dont get anything from the GP.
I also felt terrible because I wasn't able to do everything for the baby how I wanted to, DH changed all his nappies because I couldn't get on the floor and I used to cry about it! Talk about how you're feeling, sounds like your DH has stepped up so his next job is to listen to you.
I had another baby 3 years later and it was totally different, 30 minute labour, 3 pushes and he was out with a graze. The aftermath was amazing too I showered myself (needed help in the bath for 2 weeks after no 1) and me and dh took selfies with the baby in a state of utter euphoria. After baby 1 I felt like I'd just survived a battle, and we had no clue what we were doing as parents.
Hope you feel much better soon and in the meantime stay off your feet x

@gypsywater they eventually gave me codeine after I hysterically cried down the phone but would only give me the lowest dosage. When I've asked about more pain relief they said that's the only thing they can give me other than paracetamol, which I know is complete shit but the hospital said the same thing x

@Ree91 oh the stern voice is definitely coming out today, I'm surviving on 1 hours sleep due to baby crying the whole night so I'm not taking any shit haha x

@AmICrazyorWhat2 I have a sitz bath and have been using it during the day sometimes if i don't have much time to wait for the bath to fill etc :) thank you!

@katienana that's exactly how I was as well, when I had to register the baby I had to take bed pillows in with me just so I could attempt to sit down on the chair🙄 it's unbelievable how many people have had numerous infections after an episiotomy! It's so nice to know that your second labour went brilliantly though! I know a few others were worried about that so I bet when they read your reply it will reassure them xx

@watermelonsugar99 oh it's so hard isn't it, I just kept telling myself each day that it does get better and nothing can last forever! For what it's worth, I was prescribed codeine at the lowest dose too, because of the baby they don't want you to be too spaced out while caring for them. Whether it's right or wrong I took alot of codeine along with Ibuprofren and paracetamol all at the same time and I found this did help take the edge of it, I've come off the codeine now and only take Ibuprofren occasionally if I'm feeling achy! X

I feel for you OP. I had a similar experience. Sat on a ring (the one you are supposed to have a baby wrapped around when they start sitting up) which helped with seating. I also did tea tree oil baths (not too much as it stings!) had some witch Hazel pads to put on top of my pad etc that all helped and it did pass. My first born was also cried and cried and cried and I was crying for ages. Only to be told my my dm that everyone has kids get on with it and stop crying! (old school thoughts lol) but it does get better.

@Ree91 it's awful! I'm sick of ringing them about little one too, they said at first it was reflux but nothing worked so now they're saying it's colic but I'm not convinced. It seems to me that it's a milk allergy but whenever I mention it they brush me off, you'd think it wasn't common in babies yeah that does make sense, I've been doing the exact same taking them all together just to try get some form of relief haha! It's good you're only on ibuprofen now and again though, when you stop needing pain relief I think that's when you know you're starting to feel a lot better xx

@Ynwa1234 yes that's exactly what I've been told as well, because I'm so young too I keep getting the whole well I told you it's not easy having a kid or it only gets worse.. I'm doing tea tree oil baths and love them, they're great for when I'm feeling itchy too! Super soothing.. I tried a salt bath and that was traumatising haha, haven't tried witch hazel yet but everyone has been talking about it so I think that'll be my next step. So glad it gets better though, think when you're in so much pain and sleep deprived you never think it'll get better! X