Is the white spot on the episiotomy wound a sign of suppuration?

In order for new mothers to give birth smoothly, many doctors will perform episiotomy surgery on them. However, due to various reasons, many patients will develop symptoms of wound suppuration during the episiotomy process. So, are the white spots on the episiotomy wound festering? What should I do if the episiotomy wound festering? Here are some solutions to episiotomy wound festering:

Are the white spots on the episiotomy wound festering?

The small white spots on the episiotomy wound do not mean suppuration, but a part of the healing process of the episiotomy wound. If there is suppuration, most parts will appear cold and wet or there will be increased purulent secretions. If white spots appear on the wound after surgery, it is necessary to bathe it with potassium permanganate solution at a ratio of 1:5000, or clean it with iodine disinfectant, or use spray to disinfect the side wound to reduce bacterial infection in the episiotomy wound and help the episiotomy wound heal. The presence of white spots on the episiotomy wound does not mean festering. For this matter, it is recommended to use ethanol to disinfect the part every day. The wound should be basically healed in about a week. Patients do not need to be too anxious, pay attention to protecting the wound, and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

What to do if the episiotomy wound becomes purulent

Symptoms of perineal wound infection and suppuration usually appear three to seven days after delivery. Initially, the edge of the wound will swell and the pain will increase. Then the sutures will rupture, causing the wound to split, and blood or purulent secretions will be discharged. Some patients will have a fever. If the above symptoms occur, an experienced obstetrician and gynecologist can usually tell at a glance whether there is wound infection and suppuration. If antibiotics are used for treatment, bacterial culture of wound aspirates will sometimes be performed to determine the type of bacteria that infects the suppuration and to select appropriate antibiotics for symptomatic treatment.

For the treatment of wound infection and suppuration, some hospitals will adopt the method of re-suturing or opening wound drainage, which usually causes great pain to pregnant women and the actual effect is not satisfactory. The correct method is: if the perineal wound infection and suppuration are superficial and the total area is small, it is generally not necessary to suture again. Potassium permanganate solution bath, oral antibiotic treatment or partial drug treatment can be used. For pregnant women who are exclusively breastfeeding, antibiotics can secrete breast milk and have a certain impact on the baby's development. It is suitable to use Chinese herbal medicine that can be taken as a partial medication. After cleaning the wound with saline, it can be combined with facial mask to promote wound repair and prevent the formation of scars. Keep changing the dressing until you are cured.

If the perineal wound is deeply festering or covers a large area, or there is a lot of necrotic tissue such as pus and knots, it is necessary to clean the wound surface in time, close the edges and change the dressings after cleaning, and it will usually heal in one or two weeks.

Frequently asked questions

1. Eat more high-fiber foods, develop regular bowel habits, and drink more water to prevent constipation. If the mother is constipated, exerting too much force when defecating can easily cause the wound to be lacerated again.

2. Keep the vulva clean to prevent infection and suppuration. Wash sanitary pads frequently to prevent postpartum lochia from soaking the wound and increasing the difficulty of healing; disinfect the wound every day, and wipe the private parts from front to back with disinfectant cotton after each bowel movement.

3. Within a few days after the stitches are removed, avoid squatting. When defecating, you should first retract the perineum and buttocks and then sit on the toilet to avoid falling or excessive external rotation of the thigh roots which may cause the wound to open again.

4. Do not use force: Do not use force to defecate to prevent the repaired wound from cracking again.

5. Do not lift hanging objects: Within one month after giving birth, you do not need to lift anything, nor do any energy-consuming housework or exercise.

6. Avoid sexual intercourse: Sexual intercourse should be avoided within 6 weeks after giving birth.