Amazing remedies that heal vaginal stitches after birth

Know how to heal vaginal stitches after delivery

During most vaginal deliveries, mothers experience a tear to the perineal area. These tears require stitches which usually heal within 7 to 15 days. But for some women, the road to recovery can be extremely painful.

Painful vaginal stitches after birth can make even everyday activities such as sitting or using the loo a nightmare. Swelling, infection or opening up of the stitches can further increase discomfort and pain for the new mum.

To hasten the healing ‘down-there’, it is important to keep up the hygiene quotient. "The opening up of the stitches and vaginal infections can worsen the pain,” says Dr Papia Goswami Mukherjee, consultant gynaecologist, Kumar Clinic, Mumbai.

Here are some tips from experienced mothers which will help you heal the post-delivery vaginal stitches. Follow these and spring yourself out of the painful miseries.

Sitz bath

Sitz baths work wonders for the aching vaginal stitches. Most doctors recommend sitting in a tub of warm water with few drops of disinfectant at least twice a day after a vaginal delivery. This not only disinfects, but also soothes the pain around the area.

"Add a capful of betadine solution to the warm water for better results,” says Dr Kasthuri Sarvotham, gynaecologist, Fernandez Hospitals, Hyderabad. You could even add salt. However, don't rub the area and just pat it dry.

Sit on an inflatable ring

Sitting on an inflated ring after may make you feel like a rubber duck. But with a bloated body, leaking breasts and baggy eyes, who cares how you look anyway? Jokes apart, a rubber ring will cushion the area and not add pressure to the perineal stitches. The ring will also allow the new mum to breastfeed comfortably.

Say no to soaps

Won’t using a soap keep the area clean? Experts say no. Plain warm water is enough to keep the area clean. Soaps on the contrary, act as an irritant and may add to pain in the perineum.

Hot and cold compress

Heat brings relief to pain. So use a hot water bag covered in a soft cloth and dab at the stitches. But if heat is not your thing, try cold fomentation. A veteran mom shared that she actually sat over a bed of chilled cabbage leaves and felt relieved.

Use warm water to wash up

Some women complain of burning sensation around the stitched up area while peeing. To ease the pain, try pouring some warm water to the vulval area when you pee. Bending slightly forward when you sit down to urinate also helps.

Do pelvic floor exercises

Pelvic floor exercises or Kegels help after delivery too. This may seem impossible, but gently perform some Kegels to increase blood flow to the vaginal area.

Treat the vaginal area with care

You may want to slip into your supermom shoes soon after delivery, but straining your body soon after birth does more harm than good. "Vigorously rubbing or wearing tight underwear that strains the vaginal area may also open out the stitches. This will delay the healing,” informs Dr Mukherjee.

If your doctor has recommended an antiseptic cream for the stitches, do apply it regularly. Most vaginal stitches should heal within 2-3 weeks post-delivery. If you find an increase in the pain, swelling or a foul smelling discharge from the vagina, visit your doctor to eliminate any other complications.

Republished with permission from: theIndusparent

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Written by

Preeti Athri

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