Stitches after birth - in agony

[harleysmammy]

I had my little boy Friday and had an episiotomy. It was just a little uncomfortable until today, I thought it'd be a good idea to take my baby for a walk to get him some fresh air for the first time. I live in wales so either way, I had to walk up a hill. I didn't go far but it felt like it by the time I got home. I'm now in agony, it's like stinging pain kind of but sore at the same time. I've just taken paracetamol (won't take anything stronger as I'm breastfeeding and a bit paranoid), but is there anything I can do? I might literally sit on a hot water bottle in a minute it hurts so bad😩 maybe next time I'll listen to the midwife when she says not to do something

I had an episiotomy and the absolute best thing which isn't drugs is ice! I was given some saline packs to take home but you can easily use popsicle type stuff (as long as its sealed and wont cover you in sticky stuff) have some in the freezer and one for use. Wrap it in tissue and place exactly where needed. When that one has melted swap it for another. Just make sure you know which ones are for eating and which ones arent lol.

Big hugs yes you've done too much love xx try a hot water bottle or ice pack ( make sure you cover it properly for safety )
I remember how horrid my stitches felt in 2013 when I had my daughter, worse than the birth, felt like I'd been kicked in the legs by a horse!

Take paracetamol and put some maternity pads in the freezer, and put some lavender essential oil on them ( it aids the stitches and helps them heal quicker, nct advice)

Sending hugs and congratulations on your baby xx

congrats on your baby OP.

I had an episiotomy a few weeks ago. you really do need to take it easy. I had a similar problem to you and the pain had got worse because some of my stiches had come out. when will your midwife visit you next so she can check if for you? your stiches might be fine but you might have just aggravated the wound a bit

putting witch hazel on your pad helps and also putting some lavender oil in a jug and pouring it over yourself every time you wee as well as putting lavender oil in bath

Mean question, but have you done a poo yet?

Mine were very painful as they got infected. Might be worth checking!

Paracetamol and ibuprofen are absolutely fine whilst breastfeeding, please don't be scared to take them.

Oh and it's only been a few days! Just take it easy. And congratulations.

Tell your midwife as when mine got this painful it was an infection and I needed antibiotics.

What might help in the meantime is a shallow bath with essential oils. From memory I had tea tree oil, lavender and candula oil. I had about three a day.

Also had to limit how much walking I did. Thankfully it got better very quickly once i started antibiotics.

Alternate paracetamol and ibruprofen every two hours, set an alarm on your phone! Make sure you take the strongest ones you can and take it easy! Lots of nice baths help.

Bottle of witch hazel (can get it from Boots etc, very cheap), keep it in the fridge. Pour it into a pad or a wodge of cotton wool and hold it against the stitches.

The cold feels wonderful and the witch hazel will help reduce inflammation. Used it after all 4 of my DCs births, even though only tore with my first.

Send your dh down to the 24 hr Tesco to pick up some ice pops. Only thing that relieved it for me was ice and ice pops are perfect.

Have the midwife take a quick look too tomorrow if you can to make sure there's no infection brewing

totally understand,tore badly and had lots of stiches

dd is 5w today and almst back to normal

the first 3/4w it did hurt/sore etc

fine to have paracet and iburphen when bf,its what i lived off

the first poo was owwwwwwwww tho also on iron tablets as lst a lot of blood due to placenta not delivering so rushed to surgery after birth

get some lactulse, des help!!!

als sitting on bf cushion helped lots

Water in a condom with a knot in the end, freeze it. Supposed to be excellent as cooler and soother.