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Vaginal BIrth & tear
Added: 1393 days ago.
Added by: vinna
Section: General.
Status: This question is Closed. (Questions will be closed after 10 days.)


How do you care for stitches after a vaginal birth? I tore a little and was told to use the little squirt bottle with water and sanitary pads. When is it okay to wash thoroughly?

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niki - 1384 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I used witch hazel and dressings and maternity towels as suggested by the hospital also i bathed with aloe vera drops in the bath... i ended up with stiches.... but it worked wonders and really helped the sting. I was funny about washing properly down there because of the pain but it isnt long before the pain will ease and you will heal.

mommauv4 - 1390 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) You fill the Squirt bottle with nice warm water lean way forward and squirt while you pee.- Continue squirting after you finish. This helps with the stinging pain that urine causes inthe stitched up area. You can take a warm bath after a few days just don't scrub.

Melanie07 - 1392 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Use the squirt bottle. You can also use the tucks pads by patting. Also, using the sitz bath helps. It cleans and soothes. I had 3rd and 2nd degree tears with two of my kids. You are not going to be able to wipe until it heals. Squirting and sitz clean it well. Wiping can tear out a stitch or two. That hurts. I pulled one while walking down the stairs.

mommy-of-3 - 1392 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Trust me that little squirt bottle is all you're going to want to use until it heals and the warmer the water the better it will feel. I tore with my first and can to this day remember the stinging pain, especially when trying to use the bathroom!!

jessicadarling - 1392 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Here is what I was told. I had an episiotomy and two tears on either side of my urethra. Basically they said for the first 4 days to use cold on them to help the swelling. Did you get frozen pads in the hospital?? They are amazing. You can do them at home too, just put some water on a pad and freeze them and then wear them when feeling really cold. They said after the first few days heat will feel better on it. So along with using the water bottle they told me to make sure the bathtub was clean and to have a warm bath to soak in. In the bath it is easy to take a facecloth and rub gently. I am 2 weeks and 4 days postpartum and am now in the itchy stage of healing. Thankfully it doesn't really hurt anymore.

jessicadarling - 1392 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) Here is what I was told. I had an episiotomy and two tears on either side of my urethra. Basically they said for the first 4 days to use cold on them to help the swelling. Did you get frozen pads in the hospital?? They are amazing. You can do them at home too, just put some water on a pad and freeze them and then wear them when feeling really sore. They said after the first few days heat will feel better on it. So along with using the water bottle they told me to make sure the bathtub was clean and to have a warm bath to soak in. In the bath it is easy to take a facecloth and rub gently. I am 2 weeks and 4 days postpartum and am now in the itchy stage of healing. Thankfully it doesn't really hurt anymore.

Mommyof2boys - 1392 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I would wait for 6weeks and keep using the perinal bottle of warm water and showers, no tub baths.

totallykatalicious - 1392 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I had that with my first son, and I bled the whole 6 weeks, had to use the squirt bottle and big sanitary pads ... you can take showers, but no baths, as you can get infections from sitting in dirty bath water.

klasnaya - 1393 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I couldnt touch myself it was that bad. i would put soap into the squirt bottle and wash myself by squirting soapy water then just water. of course i sat in warm water too. Otherwise there was nothing else i could do the pain was BAD!

kayla-love - 1393 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I used to use the shower head with no soap or shower gel. Then I would pat it dry with a towel that I used only for me. Everytime I went to the toilet I didnt wipe myself with tissue , I used to stand in the shower and use the shower head and pat myself dry. Its much better than having a bath (cleaner I think) as you know there is so much blood after. Its important you keep your stitches clean and dry, so pat them dry with a soft towel and then pop on your pad. I was told not to use soap or shower gel as you could get an infection.

Baby3OnWay - 1393 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I use to spray with a detachable shower head, just like in the hospital and also I would put some epson salts in about 3 inches of water in the bath tub and sit in that for a good 15mins or so... Its worked wonders for relief and healing!! Just try washing gently and if its too much just do what you can don't over due it though as you don't want to make it more sore

Christina1984 - 1393 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) i washed very very gently for the 1st couple weeks. i was also told to use the squirt bottle and apply hemroid cream and spray dermoplast. i had a 3rd degree tear. i was so afraid i would rip the stitches out. i never used the sitz bath even tho the doc said to. hope i dont tear this time lol. good luck

lindamc - 1393 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I was so scared to wash with soap for awhile! I think as long as you get all the soap off you'll be fine, and stay dry!! tucks pads also helped me a lot!!! I had a really bad tear! 5 weeks later and I'm still not as healed as I thought I'd be... and I think it's due to not being able to feel anything with the epidural! good luck, and speedy healing to you!

mzmommy2b - 1393 days ago Rating: 4.5 (2 votes) I tore REALLY bad and had a lot of stitches. I asked the Dr and it is fine to start using soap in the shower after about 2 days. All they said was to wash the soap off thoroughly and use the sitz bath after you wash with soap in the shower to make sure that all of the soap is gone. The peri bottle is for use after each time you go to the bathroom to make sure the vag area is clean. You should also make sure to dab the water off (i found that soft paper towels work the best) after you use the peri bottle to get all of the water off. Moisture will make it more sore and also can make it get infected. Keep dry!

brandi j. - 1393 days ago Rating: 0 (0 votes) I was told to take a shower, but not a bath. However, after I took my shower, I could rinse out the tub, and run some warm water to sit in, just not to bathe in it. I was also given the peri bottle, and was told to put a little betadyne(sp?) in it, and fill it up w/ warm water and then rinse myself. I was also given what is called a sitz bath, but I didn't care for it.