Epesiotomy healing

Hi Jess, I had a 2nd degree tear rather than an episiotomy but I loved spritz for bits and found it really helped the pain and discomfort x

Might be obvious, but make sure you take your paracetamol and ibuprofen. I had to set alarms on my phone because I was slightly distracted taking care of my newborn and kept forgetting!
Some people find cooling pads/witch hazel pads helpful.
Using a peri bottle to wash after using the toilet and in the shower and gently dabbing dry too.
Unfortunately though, the main thing will be time. Take it as easy as you can and try not to overdo it. I was feeling much better by around 9/10 days pp. I know that feels like a long wait at this point!
Congratulations on your beautiful baby x

Congrats! Spritz for bits! I brought some that I never used because I had a c section with my second. If you’d like it message me and I’ll post it to you. Don’t want any money for it x

Thank you everyone. I have spritz for bits that I have started using and I'll try the cooling pads and research a good pillow as spending lots of time sitting in quite uncomfortable hospital chairs!
@hazel that's so kind of you, I hope there is someone else that can take you up on that offer. xx

Had the same type of birth.
I did not buy any special thing, i used the feeding pillow really, but the healing process was quite fast and smooth.
As others said paracetamol if in pain and relax. I can recommend the peri bottle when u go to toilet, it was a relief x

Hi Jess, I had a forceps delivery and episiotomy and a 2nd degree tear. I used the witch hazel pad liners, spritz for bits and most importantly the peri bottle to spray water on when going to the toilet!
I’ll be honest; it did take me a while to get back to no pain at all but everyone is different. use OTC painkillers but if it gets too bad, DR did give me stronger ones. Hope it starts to feel better soon! X

I had an episiotomy and also tore. I kept the area clean, drank plenty of fluids and used paracetamol if in pain (although I did forget a lot). My partner actually bought a donut pillow but my midwife said not to use it as it cuts of the blood going to the area slowing down the healing process, maybe check with your midwives what they would advise? I felt healing didn’t take too long but I did sit more to the side for a little while and found it more comfortable sat on the floor at home than the sofa, as for some strange reason it felt easier to get up/ down.
Congratulations to you all! Charlie is gorgeous! Hopefully you all get to go home soon Xx

I was also told not to get a donut pillow because it affects healing, slowing it down but can also make things wonky?? Could you just sit on normal pillows to make things a bit softer? Xx

Peri bottle, spritz for bits, after a week have a bath without any products....this helped. Get on the bed and lay on a towel and air it out as well. Comfortable pants.

Don't use a pillow! I feel a lot better now and baby is 3 weeks tomorrow xx

Congratulations on your beautiful baby! Hope all these people commenting is making you feel like you’re not alone! Forceps and episiotomy births are so common yet not talked about enough and therefore the advice for healing seems to just be skipped over.

I also had an episiotomy and second degree tear so plenty of stitches. I found healing took a really long time and I was in pain for weeks but as others have said everyone’s healing time takes different amounts of time. The only thing that helped me a little bit was to do everything in the shower and pat dry with a very soft towel.

I know it feels like ages away but it does eventually feel better. ♥️

I had an episiotomy, 2nd degree tear & forcep birth too. I used ice pads for 5 days straight, kept changing them when I felt them going warm. I also was told by the midwife when going to the toilet to do a poop, that if you hold toilet paper over the scaring and gently rest your hand there as you push, it helps majorly! My pain had subsided in 8 days and I was fully healed within 3 weeks.

I had an episiotomy and a 16/9 birth as well. I've found that pain meds and ice packs definitely help. If using the peri bottle make sure the water is not cold I made that mistake and flinched. Low pressure warm wash at the end of a shower also really helps ease the pain.

Sorry to hear you and Charlie are in hospital, unsure how long you will be in for but once home the midwife suggested a shallow bath with some tea tree oil in and to let it air dry/cool setting if the hair dryer. It took time to heal but absolutely fine now and sure you’ll get there too, take it easy 🥰

I had an episiotomy too. I promise it does get better. Use a peri bottle instead of wiping. And removable shower head to clean area. I found breastfeeding sitting up hurt the area so bad for me. So if you are breastfeeding. Laying down on your side will help.

I had forceps and an episiotomy too, my best advice is to honestly just keep on top of your meds/pain killers, take them on time and as frequently as you can. I remember how painful it was and it was 2 years ago now so definitely feeling for you, knocks me sick just thinking about it😮‍💨. && just keep yourself as dry and clean as you can, a cool bath seemed to help so much xx

Hello! First of congrats 💕 Similar birth here with forceps and episiotomy. First of take your time. Things will be quite painful for a while, don't force it, take it one day at a time with walks etc. Take your painkillers! Have alarms for it if need be. I was alternating paracetamol and ibuprofen - do NOT forget them! I took them for 2 or 3 weeks. In terms of cleaning I only used water in the shower and changed my pads as regularly as possible. I would wipe with toilet paper, but more like a padding motion than a wipe. Front to back when pooping. I used the upside down spray bottle a couple times but didn't find it useful. I would wear very lose clothes and post partum underwear to feel as comfy as possible. I wish you the best recovery and take your time really. No rush getting back into things. Enjoy cuddles with your little one once out of NICU xx

ooo yes just read a comment and saw someone recommending to air it out... I cannot agree more! Just remembered using puppy pads on the bed and then just letting it air dry. Got easier after lochia stopped x

I had an episiotomy and forcep birth too. Like others have said the best thing to do is keep on top of painkillers. I found that spending as much time as I could after a shower laying down with nothing on and my legs open airing it out for as long as I could really helped. Try and not over do it, I did this and it made healing take longer I thought. The more I moved or the longer I spent sitting made the healing process longer so have as much rest as you can. It just takes time ❤️