Episiotomy ouch!

[MrsScatterbrain]

Hi everyone,

I gave birth last Thursday, and as a result of a forceps delivery, have a sizeable episiotomy as well as a tear (sorry tmi!). I am now in so much pain I can barely look after my baby (luckily my hubby is home with me at the moment), and the pain is getting worse day by day. I've been using voltaren, panadeine, salt baths and ice, however these stitches are determined to remain as painful as possible! (My milk has also arrived in force today, so I'm an emotional basketcase!)

I'm wondering if there a peak to pain with episiotomies, or does the pain generally stick around for a while?

Thanks,

Bella xx

[Supermum]

Hi Bella

Sorry to hear your bits are causing you so much grief :( . I've never had an episiotomy as I tore with my first and grazed with my second. The tear was a nasty one though and I do recall that every step was like walking on glass.

I used to use icypoles in between my legs! It may sound crude but it's numbing and acts like a local anasthetic. Well it worked for me anyway.

The healing process has already started though and that's why it's painful. For me it was very painful for about a week and a half to 2 weeks and then it got itchy! Again, I didn't have an episiotomy.

Hugs.

[Crazy Monkey]

First of all Congratulations on the birthof your little man...
I felt the same way after the birth of my DS... Sounds like you are doing everything you can to help with the healing process.. I found that nurofen worked well for me.. Also big thick surf board pads, helped to cushion a little when I sat down...

The pain sticks around for a little while (sorry) but it does get better... Get as much rest as possible..

Good Luck

[mummycloud]

Congrats on the birth of your very new bubs ((((HUGS)))

Sorry about the sore bits though. Fill up some condoms with water and freeze em and shove em in your undies ;)

The sore boobs should keep your mind off the tear for a couple of days...LOL
oh the joys...it gets better, you're nearly over the worst of it..give it another 3 days or so :)

[wattle]

Sorry if TMI - but have you or your partner checked to see that the site is clean and not infected? Just a thought to start with.

I'm trying to remember back...... I had a zillion stitches and remember it being pretty uncomfortable for about a week, then it eased off.

When you're sitting, roll up some towels - one under each leg. That will raise you up a bit so you don't sit right on the sore bits.

Hope it feels better soon.

[nemosmum]

Congrats Bella on baby Benjamin's arrival!

Your birth sounds alot like mine, I begged for the doc to suck him out but they couldnt as he had too much hair LOL so they used the forceps. I had about 24 stitches in and out as I tore and had a episi etc. But I have to say I had no pain at all with my stitches, I was sore as you would expect and had some pelvic bone pain but no pain down there at all.

Perhaps wattle is heading in the right direction and if your pain is getting worse not better then perhaps the area is infected??? worth getting it checked out.

I hope it gets better soon :)

Sarah

[tickle]

Congrats on your lovely little man!!
I had an episiotomy but my stitches were only uncomfortable not really painful. I guess it is different for everyone. I've also heard the ice thing is the best.
I would also get your other half to check, just incase. It can't hurt.
I hope they get better soon and you can enjoy your time more with that new little bubba soon. :)

[talon]

Your birth sounds like a replica of mine! I have an episiotomy and tore through that (badly) and needed forceps (thank god for the epidural at that point!).

Anyway, I was VERY sore, and I mean sore. And after all that I also had an attack of the dreaded haemmies. :eek:

It took me six weeks to start to feel normal again. I was really worried that I was infected also but it does get better. At my six week checkup my doc told me that everything looked like it had healed well etc.

Try sitting on the floor rather than a really soft surface as it will stop the area around your stitches from shifting all the time and putting pressure on them. I favoured the floor. ;) Also the salt baths - nice and cool made me feel a bit better and will also help to prevent infections.

[LittleBoysRock]

Hi Bella28,

Congrats on your baby!

Your labour sounds just like mine...forceps delivery, tears and episiotomy. Not much fun.

I couldn't look at my baby after his birth and didnt want to hold him. It took me 6 weeks to feel any kind of love for him. He is 4 months old now and I love him more than anybody in the world. Those first weeks were heartbreaking though.

The pain from my episiotomy got worse before it got better. It took 6 weeks to be able to sit down properly and 4 months later sex and sitting on hard ground still hurts.

I know this probably doesnt sound like good news but truth is you will feel better soon. :) It is worth every minute of discomfort when you get that first smile. Feel free to PM if you need to chat!

Keep smiling and goodluck with your baby. :)

[Lunar]

I had alot of stitches after my first and 2 of them came undone and got infected.
OOOUUUUCCCHHHH!!!
I did however cope with salt bath and I filled disposable rubber gloves with water and froze them, then I would snap off a finger and wrap in some torn chucks wipe(clean and unused of course!) and put it u know where and believe me ... it helps ALOT!
You should get someone to look at the area, a nurse or preferably a doctor, to make sure it isn't infected. I was fine until about day 2 or 3 and then they got infected (only because i was told to clean it wrong...stupid nurse!) and i could barely walk! it hurt to move, sit and even breathe!
Try the frozen fingers....trust me, they're great!

[MrsScatterbrain]

Thanks everyone for your advice - I think its time for ice, ice and more ice! (I love the rubber glove/condom idea! :D ).

Bella xx

[AM]

I had a 3rd degree tear, and i used medihoney smeared on my sanitary pad, and that worked wonders.
Some people say use honey comb, as it is as close to the raw state as poss, and still has a lot of antibacterial properties.

All the best, and congrats on the birth of your baby!

[Tea Lady]

OUCH!!! You poor thing!! Definitely get someone to check it's healing ok if you're worried. I found that using one of those donut cushions occasionally helped - you're not meant to use them all the time, but once in a while can help, and the rolled up towels are good too. You can also get really cheap pads and soak them in water and squeeze them out a bit and put them in the freezer - whatever you do you don't want freezer burn "down there"!! Hang in there - you'll be feeling alot better soon, really! It sounds like you're doing really well and your little guy is just gorgeous!!