Self-Care After Episiotomy

Your doctor has either done an episiotomy or repaired tissue that was torn during your baby’s birth. Here you will find suggestions to prevent infection and constipation, and to ease pain.

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You had an episiotomy or a tissue tear during your baby's birth. An episiotomy is a cut (incision) made to make the opening of the vagina larger. A tear happens on its own. The doctor used stitches to repair the skin in or near your vagina. The stitches will dissolve on their own in a few weeks. They don't need to be removed by your doctor.

Preventing infection

Lower the risk of infection by keeping your stitches clean. To do this:

  • Gently wipe from front to back after you have a bowel movement.
  • After wiping, spray warm water on the stitches. Pat dry.
  • After urinating, it's okay not to wipe. Just spray with warm water and then pat dry.
  • Don't use soap or any fluid except water unless your doctor advises it.
  • Change your sanitary pads at least every 2 to 4 hours.

Preventing constipation

Follow these suggestions:

  • Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and bran cereals.
  • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day, unless told otherwise.
  • Don't strain to have a bowel movement.
  • Ask your doctor if you should use a stool softener.
  • If you are breastfeeding, ask your doctor before you take any medicine.

Easing pain

Try to make yourself more comfortable by:

  • Sitting in a warm, shallow water bath (sitz bath).
  • Placing cold packs or heat packs on your stitches. Keep a thin towel between the pack and your skin.
  • Sitting on a firm seat so that the stitches pull less.
  • Using medicated spray as ordered by your doctor.
  • Talking with your doctor about using an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen to ease the pain.

Follow-up care

Make a follow-up appointment as directed.

When to contact your doctor

Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these:

  • Blood clots the size of a quarter or larger that keep coming from your vagina
  • Heavy or gushing bleeding from your vagina
  • Smelly fluid from your vagina
  • Severe pain in the stomach or worse pain near your stitches
  • Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor
  • Shaking chills
  • No bowel movement within 1 week after the birth of your baby
  • Trouble urinating
  • Pain or urgency when you urinate
  • Stitches that come out or pieces of stitches passing from your vagina

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