Question about episiotomy?

Question

I gave birth to my son on 12/24 and they had to give me an episiotomy. The hospital never really told me how long it would take to heal or anything about the aftercare.

How long does it take to heal?

Do the stitches just dissolve, or do I need to get them removed?

If you had one, how long before you could do things again?

I'm still in a lot of pain and can barely sit down without it feeling like it's tearing!

Thank you!

When I said "do things again" I meant just like everyday things, I'm having trouble walking and getting up out of chairs to take care of my baby, so I just anxious to be able to get around normally again.

Answer 1

The healing of the episiotomy is dependant on where it was done and how. If it straight down the midline it will heal quicker with less pain. If it was done on one side or the other there is a longer recovery period. The next question which you may not be able to answer is how much was cut. Was it a 1st degree where only the thin flesh from the vaginal opening to toward the anus was involved. Or was there a tear that put it close to the anal sphincter muscle making it a 2nd degree. Even worse is a tear or cut into the rectal muscle which is a third degree. Finally is the worst which involves the cut or tear going into the wall of the rectal vault, that is a 4th degree. So you see the answer is not easy. I think the fact that the hospital or the doctor did not take the time to go over this with you is noting short of criminal. Assuming you had the least invasive procedure so they thought it would not become a problem and did not address it means that your worst should be over. You are about 7 days into it and what your feeling will quickly begin to subside. The stitches are made from a material that will slowly be disolved by your body in about 28 days however you may experience one end or another poking out and pinching you even 40-50 days later. A Sitz bath is a plastic bowl made to fit into your toilet with the seat up and filled with very warm water should have been advised to you. These plastic disposable units can be purchased in a drug store usually. They provide some very good relief from pain and discomfort in that area and help with the hygiene for that area as well. Then a simple cheap desk lamp with a 60 watt bulb placed on the bed while you open your legs with that area naked to the warmth of this bulb can also be done 3-4 times a day, particularly after the Sitz bath. (becareful not to do this for too long as it can burn you also the lamp should be secure on a stiff piece of wood or cardboard so as not to fall foward onto your tenderness there. Witchhazel is another wonderful liquid for this condition. So cool and soothing at times, yet it does not burn if it gets on the mucus membrane. The wipes now available are especially functional. Finally a "donut pillow is also available from drug stores. This small moveable air inflated "pillow" shaped like a donut with a hole in the middle takes the pressure off your bottom when you sit. Mostly used at home as it is a bit obvious for use on the outside. Yes this too shall pass. Sex is not advised and really should be avoided for at least 4 weeks and maybe even 6 weeks in some cases. Men go nuts during this time of abstinence, but it does not have to be a time of total abstinence for a loving couple. (most men stray during the 6 weeks before and 6 weeks after the birth). I hope this really helps you as you were treated very shabily. Complaints to the hospital should not go for naught. Go straight to the Director of Nurses visit her office. It is her responsibility to provide this kind of teaching by her nurses after delivery. The very accreditation of the hospital could be in jepardy. The doctor is not without blame either. Pamphlets or work sheets should have been the least provided for the money you paid him. Ehoy the baby and you will be fine in a few short busy weeks.
P.S. Do not be suprised if during your after baby lovemaking one of you does not feel some of the ends of the desolving stitches. OUCH!)

Answer 2

As a nurse with several years experience working in Labor and Delivery Room, AND a mother who had a really big episiotomy when I gave birth, I'll answer your questions. The aftercare for your episiotomy consists simply of washing the area with tap water and antibacterial soap and keeping it very dry and clean. You can also wash with Listerine {yes, the same used for your mouth}, diluted with water {1 part Listerine to 2 parts water}; this will help your wound heal much faster and prevent any infection in the area. The sutures used to close the episiotomy are self-absorbing; they'll disintegrate spontaneously as your wound heals. It may take a month or so before the discomfort in the area goes away entirely; when I had my daughter my episiotomy hurt for about a month and a half after the delivery. It feels like it's going to tear but it won't, so don't worry about it. Take it easy, use a round pillow to sit down, specially if for long periods {like the ones used for hemorrhoids}. And please, DON"T attempt to have intercourse until your doctor checks you and says that you can; I've seen quite a few women that have come back with the stitches torn from trying to have sex too soon after the birth. Congratulations on the baby, and the best wishes for the New Year!

Answer 3

When I had my first child my doctor gave me stitches and I hurt for a couple of weeks! With my second, I had awesome nurses and a midwife that had to give me an emergency ep. because my son was in trouble. My nurses gave me ice packs for two days, in a baby diaper, which helped a lot and they told me to take 2 ibuprofrin and 2 tylenol every four hours. I was amazed at how well this worked to take the swelling down and I healed a lot faster. It was kind of freaky to take that much drugs all at the same time, but they said it was safe. Most doctors use dissolving stitches these days as they are less complicated, if you are at a week, they should be falling out soon. It can take a long time to heal, with my first stitches I still sometimes have sensitivity on my scar tissue. My ep scar I don't even feel.
They say to wait six weeks before sex, but I made it four. By the way don't vacume until you are healed up (4-6weeks) if they didn't tell you at the hospital, this can cause you to bleed a lot heavier. Be patient and enjoy your brand new little one.

Answer 4

Do you still have your discharge papers? It should give details regarding your episiotomy. After a couple of weeks you should start to feel more comfortable. The stitches are usually the dissolving kind. I had stitches with each of my kids, but the first baby I had required more stitches that the next two, probably because he was my first. I actually sat on one of those Boppy pillows, which helped a bit. I think I even sat on cold packs to help alleviate the pain. Call your doctor if you're concerned. The nurses on staff can often help you over the phone. That's what they're there for!
As for how long before you can "do things again", are you referring to sex? Even after the six week visit when your doctor will most likely give you the go ahead, you may not be ready. It will be uncomfortable, I can assure you, so inform your partner that you might not have successful intercourse. That kind of healing takes time, and a lot of gentleness and patience on your partner's part! In general regarding ANY activity, sexual or otherwise, take it easy and obey your body.

Answer 5

It probably depends on how bad of a tear you had. I had a fourth degree tear which is where (sorry this is graphic) you're torn from your vagina thru your rectum. I definately feel for you. That was the most painful thing. I couldn't do hardly anything for I think it was a few weeks. I had that feeling like I was going to rip when I did anything from walking to sitting down especially when I had to pee which not only felt like it was going to rip but also burned. My stitches dissolved on there own and my doctor said I was totally healed by my six week appointment, however I was scared to have sex for a long time after that. It will get less painful though. Did your Dr. give you anything to put on it? The hospital gave me these pads that you could twist before you put them on and it made them cold kinda like a cold pack. That seemed to help a little bit. The only other thing I can say is just take it slow and enjoy your little one.

Answer 6

The doctors didn't tell me anything about my stitches, either. They dissolve, so you don't have to worry about getting them removed. The pain and discomfort is different for everyone. It depends a lot on how many stitches you have and if you tore at all. I didn't tear, and I had 4 stitches. It took me a week to be able to sit down somewhat comfortably. A couple of weeks after the pain went away I was back to normal, for the most part. But my son is eight months old now, and I still have discomfort sometimes. But it normally only bothers me if pressure is put where my sitches were. Also, every now and then sex can cause some discomfort.

But... It's all normal.

Answer 7

Your sutures shouldnt be that painfull still...I have had 2 children with two on the way, and both times I have had an episiotomy.
The first time the pain eased fairly quickly, the second time the sutures had all burst by day 3 after delivery, and the kind of pain you are describing is what sort of pain i was in just about constantly.
What I sugguest you do, is get a mirror and have a look, if the sutures have burst open get in to see your GP asap, its not an emergency as such, but infection is much more likely.
While peeing on the toilet pour some water which had salt disolved in it over yourself, it will help with infections, and help to dry out the area a little which will help it heal, just dab the area dry when your done.
I hope for your sake your sutures are intact, its a long slow healing process if they are not. If they are intact the external surtures will dissolve normally with in a week of having them put in.

Good luck.

Answer 8

They take a while. Your hospital should have given you some stuff to spray on the site called "Epi-Care" or something along the lines of that. You need to clean the area every time you go to the bathroom.

Also, what kind of "things" are you talking about doing? Like everyday things like cleaning the house or sex? I'm sure your doctor has told you that it will take 4-6 weeks for you to heal, and it's not a good idea to do anything like that during that time. You've got to give your body a chance to rest, inside and out. Concentrate on the baby and taking care of him.

See if you can get one of those donut pillows to sit on. That should help. If it still hurts badly in a day or two, call your doctor. That's what the doctor is there for.

Answer 9

I had one with my daughter and had to be cut on top and bottom. Honestly though, I wasnt all that affected by it. I hated the thought of being cut but I was never really SORE. My daughter was rushed off to NICU after birth due to breathing issues so I was up and walking to see her just two hours after I delivered. I was determined to see my baby and a little pain wasnt gonna stop me. I think that is why I healed so fast and so well...I forced myself to get up and do things and it helped speed up the healing process. I would say I felt mostly back to normal within a few days..at most a week! as for the stitches, mine dissolved on their own. Good Luck and Congrats on the new baby!

Answer 10

they say it takes about 6 weeks to fully heal. The stitches dissolve. Just keep it clean. Usually the hospital gives you the squeeze bottle thingy to squirt warm water down there. That helps.
They usualy give you this blow up donut thing to sit on too. That helps you feel more comfortable when you sit.