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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