An episiotomy is an incision or incision in the perineum (perineum), which is the part of the body between the vagina and anus. This procedure is often done to help a woman push her baby out during labour. The perineum is a moist, covered part of the body, a perfect condition for infection or recovery. However, by following a few simple strategies, you can reduce your risk of infection, speed up recovery time and reduce discomfort and pain.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Coping with Pain
Step 1. Ask your doctor about painkillers you might be able to use
Many medications are not safe for breastfeeding mothers to take because they may be consumed by the baby through breast milk. Talk to your doctor about safe treatment options to help you control pain after an episiotomy.
Paracetamol is often prescribed to nursing mothers who need pain relief after an episiotomy
Step 2. Place an ice pad on the perineum while you rest
The perineum is the part of the body between the vagina and anus, where an episiotomy is made. You can use an ice pack to help reduce swelling and relieve pain. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it between your legs while you lie in bed or lean back in a chair.
Make sure you don't leave the ice pad on for more than 15 minutes at a time. Every now and then you have to lift the pads off your skin to keep them from getting cold
Step 3. Tighten your buttocks as you sit down
Tightening the buttocks when you sit will help pull the tissue in the perineum. This will help the tissue at the incision suture not stretch and pull.
You may also find that sitting on a pillow or inflated plastic tire will relieve pressure and pain in the perineum
Step 4. Talk to your doctor about using sitz baths
Depending on your condition, your doctor may recommend that you sit on a daily basis. Sitting on a bed can help reduce pain, swelling, and bruising around the injured area.
- Fill the tub with warm or cold water. Warm water increases circulation and may be comfortable, but cold water can relieve pain a little faster.
- Sit in the tub for about 20 minutes.
Step 5. Pour water over the incision seam as you urinate
Urination can cause stinging and pain in the wound area. Urine passing through the wound may also introduce bacteria into the wound.
To reduce discomfort and keep the stitches clean, apply water to the wound area using a squeeze bottle or water bottle while you are urinating. After you finish urinating, sprinkle a little more water on the area to make sure it's completely clean
Step 6. Apply pressure to your wound during bowel movements
Urination may be a thorny issue after an episiotomy. To help you defecate, press the perineum with a new sanitary napkin and hold the pressure while you have a bowel movement. This will help you to reduce pain and discomfort.
Make sure you throw away the tampon when you're done and use a new one every time you have to have a bowel movement
Step 7. Reduce the risk of developing constipation
Constipation will increase the pressure on the perineum during bowel movements. This increase in pressure will cause increased discomfort and stretch the incision groove. To reduce the chances of getting constipated, make sure you drink plenty of water, eat fiber-rich foods, and do light exercise during the day.
- Drink at least eight glasses of water per day if you are bottle feeding and a few extra glasses if you are breastfeeding. Try not to be compulsive when it comes to drinking water, as excess fluids can reduce milk production. Just try not to get thirsty during the day.
- Eat foods rich in fiber. Fiber-rich foods will make your stool softer, making it easier to pass stool. Fruits and vegetables are good sources as well.
- Do light exercise during the day. Exercise helps the colon move food. Try to do 15 to 30 minutes of light exercise per day postpartum.
- Talk to your doctor if you continue to be constipated. Call your doctor if all your efforts don't bring any change to your bowel habits within a few days. Your doctor may recommend a mild stool softener until your body gets back to normal. Do not use over-the-counter stool softeners without consulting your doctor.
Method 2 of 3: Supporting the Healing Process
Step 1. Keep the wound area clean and dry to help the sutures heal
Since the sore is between the vagina and anus, you need to be extra careful to keep it as clean and dry as possible.
Always rinse the area with water after urinating and wipe your buttocks from front to back after defecating. Thus, the part will be kept clean and the potential for infection from bacteria in the feces will be reduced
Step 2. Start doing Kegel exercises
Start doing Kegel exercises as soon as possible after you give birth as long as your doctor allows. Kegel exercises will help improve circulation and speed up recovery time. It will also help your body repair some of the tissue damage caused by giving birth.
- Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder, uterus, and rectum. In addition to helping episiotomy wound healing, this exercise can also help reduce urinary incontinence in women and strengthen contractions during orgasm.
- To do Kegel exercises, start with an empty bladder and imagine you are trying to stop yourself from urinating and passing gas at the same time. You try to squeeze and lift the area. Make sure you are stretching and lifting without using any other muscles. Don't tighten your stomach muscles, squeeze your lower legs, tighten your buttocks, or hold your breath. Only the pelvic floor muscles should work.
Step 3. Expose the wound area to air
Because the episiotomy wound is not exposed to much air during normal daily activities, it is sometimes necessary to expose the wound to air. Exposure the wound to air for several hours per day will help reduce moisture to the suture.
When you sleep during the day or at night, take off your underwear so your wound will be slightly exposed to the air
Step 4. Change your sanitary napkins every two to four hours
You will need to wear sanitary napkins while your episiotomy wound is healing. If you wear sanitary napkins, it will help to keep the wound dry, and it will prevent blood from getting on the underwear. By keeping the area clean and dry, the wound will heal faster.
Make sure you change sanitary napkins every two to four hours, even if they look clean
Step 5. Talk to your doctor about sex and using tampons
Although the episiotomy wound should heal within 10 days, your internal structures may have stretched and had minor tears in them. Most doctors recommend waiting six to seven weeks after giving birth before you can have sex again.
Check with your doctor before you return to sexual activity to make sure it is safe to do so
Step 6. Monitor the wound area for possible infection
Infection of the episiotomy wound can slow down the healing process and increase pain. If you get an infection, you need to get medical attention immediately to reduce the potential for serious consequences. For the first seven to 10 days after the episiotomy, visually inspect the sutures and wound area daily. Call your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Increased pain
- The wound looks torn open
- There is a discharge (discharge) with a pungent smell
- There is a hard or painful lump in the area concerned
- The skin between the vagina and anus looks redder than usual
- The skin between the vagina and anus looks swollen
- There is pus coming out of the stitches
Method 3 of 3: Understanding and Preventing Episiotomy
Step 1. Understand the purpose of the episiotomy during labour
In vaginal delivery, the baby's head must pass through the birth canal, through the vagina, and out of the body. During this process, the baby's head will usually press against the perineum and stretch the tissue in this area enough for the head to pass through. Your doctor may perform an episiotomy if:
- Your baby is big and needs more space to get out of your body
- Your baby's shoulders are stuck during delivery
- Labor goes so fast that the perineum doesn't have time to stretch before the baby is ready to come out
- Your baby's heart rate indicates that he is in trouble and needs to be removed as soon as possible
- Your baby is in an abnormal position
Step 2. Learn about the different types of episiotomy
There are two types of incisions that doctors can make. Both require similar care after delivery and at home. The type of incision performed depends on your anatomy, how much space is required, and the speed at which you are delivering.
- A midline or median incision is made from the tip of the vagina back toward the anus. These are the incisions that are easiest for surgeons to repair after the baby is born, but they are also at high risk of extending or tearing into the anus during birth.
- The mediolateral incision is made at an angle from the back of the vaginal opening and away from the anus. This method offers the best protection against a tear to the anus but is more painful for the mother after delivery. This type of incision is also more difficult for the surgeon to repair after the birth of the child.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor about what's on your mind
Tell your doctor that you want to allow enough time for the perineum to stretch on its own during birth. Ask your doctor for recommendations on how to reduce the need for an episiotomy.
- Make sure your wishes are recorded in the delivery plan so hospital staff can follow them at the time of delivery. You can develop this plan when consulting with your doctor or at pre-admission.
- During labor place a warm compress on the perineum to help the tissues stretch more easily during delivery.
- Ask your doctor if you can stand or squat to push. This position puts more pressure on the perineum and helps stretch it.
- Push for five to seven seconds gently while exhaling in the early stages of pushing to slow delivery of the baby and give the head more time to press on the perineum and allow the perineum to stretch.
- Ask the nurse to gently press back on the perineum during delivery so that the perineum does not tear.
Step 4. Do Kegel exercises to help reduce the need for an episiotomy
You can also reduce your risk of needing an episiotomy by doing Kegel exercises throughout your pregnancy. Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and prepare your body for the birth of your child.
Take 5-10 minutes every day to do Kegel exercises
Step 5. Massage the perineal area of your body
In the last six to eight weeks before birth, do a perineal massage once a day. This massage will help reduce the potential for tears or the need for an episiotomy during birth. You can do a perineal massage alone or with your partner.
- Lie on your back with your head on the pillow and your knees bent.
- Apply a little oil on the perineal skin. You can use vegetable-based oil or coconut oil to help soften the tissue and give it stretch.
- Place your fingers about five centimeters inside the vagina and press them down toward the anus. Move your fingers in a U shape to stretch the skin between your vagina and anus. You may feel tingling or burning sensation.
Hold this stretch for 30 to 60 seconds, then release. Perform this stretch two to three times each time you do a perineal massage
Tips
Keep in mind that the wound area takes about 10 days to heal, but it can also take up to a month. Try to be patient as you treat the wound
- Remember to take extra care to keep the episiotomy area clean and dry in an effort to reduce infection and speed healing.
- Discuss with your doctor how often he does this procedure, and the reasons why he does it. At certain times, an episiotomy is absolutely necessary, but it should not be a frequent procedure and not something routine.
