Episiotomy stiches?

Question

Hi, I gave birth last Sunday by vacuum delivery and had an episiotomy. My midwife came to visit yesterday and I mentionned to her that I suspected that one of the stiches became infected? She had a look at it and one had left a little gap. She said that the best thing to do would be to have 2 bath a day with a few drops of tea tree oil or lavender oil. I am not in terrible pain but I am constantly loosing pus.
For you ladies who had the same problem, were you advised the same thing?
What do you think? I am seeing her on Monday again. Shall I ask for something else? I am brestfeeding. Is there any antibiotics that I could have prescribed by my GP without affecting my milk?

Answer 1

Try adding some salt to the bath, like a tablespoon, this will soothe and assist wound healing as well. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, so should assist also.I suffered from a ruptured suture line myself after delivering my first child. Your midwife should be able to decide if there is a need for antibiotics, and there are some safe ones suitable to use while breastfeeding. Keep up the good work with the b/f and good luck.

Answer 2

I did not have an episiotomy but I did have stitches through a tear. I think that the midwifes advice is sound and I would have a bath with a few drops of tea tree oil. It is better to try and solve the problem without resorting to antibiotics. If the situation does not improve then I would talk to the midwife again on Monday.

Answer 3

Try taking a bath twice a day using a handful of Tidman's Sea Salt.

It cleans the stitch wounds and even though it's salt it doesnt' hurt-it's really soothing!

It can also speed up the healing process by cleansing the whole area without being abrasive.

I had the same problem as you and was advised by the health visitor to give sea salt a go-result, the stitches were MUCH better after the first bath!

Answer 4

Hi there, i totally sympathise wih you, I gave birth 8mths ago to a wee girl and the labour was 27hrs. I got an episiotomy also and i suspected the same as you. I wasnt in too much pain when i asked the midwife about it but in a few days time it got worse and lots of puss too. So i went to my gp and he said that the outer layer of stitches were burst, my gp specialies in homeopathic and he recomended having salt baths twice daily just put 1 or 2 tbl spoons in the bath no soap, NOTHING, dont use tea tree or lavender as it can trigger thrush. Please trusr me as i have problems treating that.You should go to the gp and he will have a nurse take a swab b4 any antibotics will be prescribed to you. I hope this works for you too. It did for me i was cleared up in 6 weeks and could start my sex life again.xx

Answer 5

i had the same problem after vacuum delivery of my first baby,your midwife gave you good advice tea tree oil soothes and cleanses the area dont worry about the pus,it will ooze and weep for a few days keep the area scrupulously clean and dry and it should resolve soon.seek attention if you experience severe pain and swelling though.

Answer 6

i recommend taking a squirt bottle and after using the restroom, spraying a solution of witch hazel and water on the perrineal area. i was sore and bruised and hurting after my first episiotomy and this did help. the italians on my husband's side of the family all used something like pine sol and water which worked too. so the tea tree oil in water with a squirt bottle would help. maybe skip the bath and use the squirt bottle then pat yourself dry.

Answer 7

another idea is to have a salt bath (this really doesn't hurt like it sounds like it will) and then dry yourself with a hairdryer to make sure that the wound is really dry. the salt bath will help with the healing. also when you pee, lean all the way forward on the seat (like boobs leaning on your thighs) so your pee doesn't run done the stiches and pat dry then blow with hair dryer again for a few seconds.

if its still no better by monday then ask them again what to do but I'm 100% sure that 2 salt baths and the hair dryer will have you all better in a couple of days.

best of luck and congratulations!!

Answer 8

hey hope you start to feel better soon i know its so painful i has over 30 stiches with my last baby four mths ago tea tree oil is very good in the bath also it is really important to keep area clean and dry pour some warm water over them even when after using toilet and dab dry with tissue and bath as often as you can.belive me you will feel better soon they will start to feel tighter so avoid too much walking around for the moment and congrats enjoy your new baby

Answer 9

As the first answer stated, I also asked how many stitches I received, and they told me its continuous so they do not count anymore. If you take a mirror and look at the area you should see a little scar which may help you to determine how big the cut was etc. My scar is quite small so I guess I didnt need many..

Answer 10

I was advised the same thing by my midwife, as long as it doesn't get too painful just persevere with the baths as it will get better soon I promise!!!