How long does it take for an episiotomy to heal? How long does it take for an episiotomy to recover?

If a pregnant woman wants to choose natural childbirth, she has to consider that if the baby's head is too large during the birthing process, the doctor will choose an episiotomy to make the baby come out better. The pain of episiotomy is actually no less than that of caesarean section, because it mainly involves cutting a cut on the woman's vulva. And after the episiotomy, women should also pay attention to their physical recovery, but how long will it take for the episiotomy to heal?

How long does it take to recover from episiotomy?

Generally speaking, the 1-2 weeks after surgery are the most difficult. Before removing the stitches, the wound should be rinsed twice a day and once after defecation to avoid contamination of the wound by excrement. After the stitches are removed, if the lochia has not yet cleared, you should still insist on washing the vulva with warm water twice a day. At the same time, keep your bowels open to prevent the wound from splitting. When defecating, it is best to sit down and try to shorten the time. In addition, the inside of the wound is not yet firm after the stitches are removed, so it is best not to exercise too much or make large movements.

Taking painkillers is the most direct way to relieve pain. You can also take some physical therapy to make the wound recover as soon as possible:

1. Apply ice compress within 24 hours after surgery: Ice compress can numb pain and relieve swelling. Since the first two days after surgery are usually more uncomfortable, ice compress can be used to reduce pain and swelling.

2. Take a warm bath 24 hours after surgery: The perineal wound has good blood circulation and little chance of infection. After applying ice packs to reduce swelling within 24 hours after surgery, it is recommended to take a tub bath with warm water (boiled water that has been cooled) and iodine, and soak in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes every morning and evening. In addition, good care can speed up the recovery of episiotomy.

1. Find a comfortable position: Within two or three days after episiotomy, the expectant mother will find that it hurts whether sitting or standing. Sometimes sitting sideways is more painful than sitting on a hard chair. If it hurts no matter what position you are in, you can try sitting on a rubber surface to reduce the pressure on the perineum.

2. Since the pain of the perineal wound will affect the expectant mother's bowel movements, constipation is likely to occur. It is recommended that sufficient fiber should be consumed during the confinement period to facilitate bowel movements. If necessary, you can also ask the doctor to prescribe a laxative to relieve constipation symptoms.

3. Post-defecation care: After each defecation or urination, be sure to clean the perineum and keep it clean. It is recommended to add warm water to the perineal douche for spraying, and then use a larger cotton swab or cotton paper to wipe from front to back (from the urethra to the anus), and throw it away after wiping. Do not wipe from back to front or repeatedly.

4. Change sanitary pads frequently: The lochia after delivery will last for nearly a month. In order to avoid infection, it is best not to save it. Change sanitary pads regularly to avoid getting them wet. It will be difficult to heal the wound if it is soaked in a wet sanitary pad.

5. Use antibiotics at the right time: If the wound continues to be red, swollen, or stinging, or even has pus-like secretions, or fever, etc., it may be that the wound is not healing well. If these conditions are discovered early, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Antibiotics will be used clinically. Otherwise, once the wound becomes infected, it will make healing more difficult in the future.

6. Get out of bed and move around early after delivery, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, drink more fish soup, pig's trotter soup and other soups, and avoid spicy food to keep bowel movements smooth.

7. Avoid squatting or doing any strenuous movements within a few days after the stitches are removed. For example, when defecating, you should first contract the perineum and buttocks before sitting on the toilet. Holding your breath and exerting force is often the cause of perineal wound rupture.

8. When sitting, the center of gravity of the body should be tilted to the right to prevent the wound from being compressed and the incision epidermis from being dislocated.

9. Avoid falling or excessive abduction of the thigh, as this may cause the wound to reopen.

10. It is not advisable to be discharged from the hospital on the same day after the wound is broken, because wound dehiscence often occurs on the day the stitches are removed.