[Pocket79]

Hi all

This is quite a random question I think... I had an episiotomy during my first labour and struggled badly with the recovery, I found it very painful. I used salt water and lavender oil to clean it regularly afterwards as well as some other remedies and it eventually healed ok. Anyway, I'm 32wks PG with #2 now and petrified of having another episiotomy but prepared that it might happen again. I want to be ready with the salt water again but I just can't seem to find a decent squeezy water bottle to use. Can people let me know where they bought any good ones? Or do you think I could use a Pump water bottle? And here is the most random part of my question - what about using a pre-prepared saline solution of the kind you get to clean contact lenses? I have a big bottle of that for my contacts and it has a pretty good squeezy action.... too weird??

Thanks in advance!

[qak]

I just used a laundry type dish - add water and table salt - and sat my fat bum in it!

Mine was agony after DS, after DD it was fine, so it is not a given that you will suffer again, anyway.

[TheVerticalProno...]

I was told not to use salt water at all, as it can cause the sutures to dissolve too quickly, before you're adequately healed - but perhaps different hospitals use a different kind of suture?

That said, mine took ages to dissolve and caused me a lot of pain - ended up seeing three different people about getting them removed before they dissolved.

[TwiceThe Woman]

2nd time round is usually not so bad - you may even get away without an episi' this time...woohoo (fingers crossed!)
Take a squeezer bottle with you and a small tub of salt. The staff will mix water and the salt for you.

Can also help to:
1. Ice helps prevent swelling and bruising, so go prepared......glad wrap some frozen peas -(about 30) 2 to 3 fingers wide and 10cms long. Take them with you to hospital i.n a cooler bag and get the staff to put them in the freezer during labour - all ready for application after delivery.
(Post a reminder on the back of your exit door or hospital bag to take them with you)
2. Keep up regular pad changes as much as possible
3. Gently pat any stitches dry then use a hairdryer to dry the area as much as possible - take care to put on low heat and no closer than 30 cms from your skin.

If stitches hurting considerably when in bed - ask the staff to elevate the foot of the bed a tad - this simple measure can provide remarkable relief.

Take heart OP - it is most commonly MUCH easier on the tail 2nd time round.
Good luck with it all - I'm feeling for you!

[Peppery]

I was told salt water would help. I used a pump water bottle like you mentioned in your post. I was able to use it with the desired affect.

I wish i had of know about the laundry dish and sitting in it, that would have been awesome.

Goodluck OP!!!

[Alacritous~Andy]

2nd time round is usually not so bad - you may even get away without an episi' this time...woohoo (fingers crossed!)
Take a squeezer bottle with you and a small tub of salt. The staff will mix water and the salt for you.

Can also help to:
1. Ice helps prevent swelling and bruising, so go prepared......glad wrap some frozen peas -(about 30) 2 to 3 fingers wide and 10cms long. Take them with you to hospital i.n a cooler bag and get the staff to put them in the freezer during labour - all ready for application after delivery.
(Post a reminder on the back of your exit door or hospital bag to take them with you)
2. Keep up regular pad changes as much as possible
3. Gently pat any stitches dry then use a hairdryer to dry the area as much as possible - take care to put on low heat and no closer than 30 cms from your skin.

If stitches hurting considerably when in bed - ask the staff to elevate the foot of the bed a tad - this simple measure can provide remarkable relief.

Take heart OP - it is most commonly MUCH easier on the tail 2nd time round.
Good luck with it all - I'm feeling for you!

Condoms full of water and frozen also make excellent vag-sicles. Don't put them up your clacker, wrap in a non-pilling cloth (eg medi-wipe or chux) and use like a frozen pad.

[Paddlepop]

I didn't have an episiotomy but I did have a 4th degree tear. I was told to just gently wash the area with warm water twice a day, preferably using a hand held shower attachment. No soap, no salt, just warm water. I was also told to very gently pat dry, and if necessary use a hair dryer on a cool setting to thoroughly dry the area.

I healed up quite quickly and didn't have any infections, but I was pumped full of IV antibiotics and antifungals while in hospital. I was supposed to continue with oral antibiotics and antifungals but I had an allergic reaction to them and so I didn't have any antibiotics apart from the IV medications.

Also, if it stung when weeing I was told that I could gently pour a jug of warm water over my pubic area while on the toilet to dilute the wee and reduce the stinging.

[happygurl06]

Big epi first time, two small tears second time but still required stitches. I just filled the bath a few cm added salt and sat in it a couple of times a day.

I also mixed warm water and salt in a bowl and dabbed with toilet paper after using the loo.

[Paddlepop]

Another thing: don't use a doughnut cushion!! I was told that they actually make the healing harder because they actually put pressure on the wound and cause more inflammation. Instead I was told to lie down and take the pressure off the whole area as much as possible. That, combined with large maternity pads to cushion everything, and sitting slightly off-centre (ie so you are sitting on mainly only bumcheek) really helped to make recovery less painful.

[cat5245]

I bought a hand held shower attachment from Bunnings for a few dollars and a couple of times a day would stand in the bath, attach it to the bath tap and use warm water to clean the area. Then I would pat dry with a clean towel and then dry with a hair dryer on cool. Seemed to work well for me. Also found frozen condoms of water excellent for numbing the area.