How to care for a woman after an episiotomy?

The mother needs to expend a lot of energy during the delivery process and has to endure great pain at the same time, because some mothers will encounter the phenomenon of the fetus being stuck in the birth canal during normal delivery. At this time, an episiotomy is needed to expand the birth canal and help the fetus be born smoothly. The episiotomy wound is large and requires careful care after delivery. Let’s take a look at how to care for the mother after an episiotomy?

Mothers who have had episiotomy should pay attention here. Generally, the skin of the episiotomy wound will heal in about 3 days. However, it will take several months for the subcutaneous tissue and muscles to heal and grow back together with the surrounding tissues and soften to the same extent as other tissues. Generally, during the 42-day postpartum check-up, the obstetrician and gynecologist will check the healing of the episiotomy wound. If the episiotomy wound becomes red, swollen, pus-filled, or cracked within 42 days, you need to go to the hospital immediately to see a doctor.

Keep your perineum clean

Whether it is a natural tear or a cut, the wound can generally heal in 3-5 days and should be rinsed with warm water twice a day. To prevent wound contamination, wipe and rinse the vulva with Sanitary cotton after each bowel movement. After defecation, do not wipe from back to front, but from front to back, and rinse again. Pay attention to changing sanitary pads frequently to avoid getting them wet and soaking the wound.

Preventing perineal incision dehiscence

When constipation occurs, do not take in air to expand the perineum forcefully. You can use enema or liquid paraffin for lubrication, especially in the first 2 to 3 days after the stitches are removed. Avoid squatting and exerting force. When defecating, you should first contract the perineum and buttocks, and then sit on the toilet, which can effectively prevent the perineum wound from breaking.

When sitting or standing, the center of gravity of the body should be tilted to the right side, which can not only reduce the pain caused by pressure on the wound, but also prevent the epidermis from dislocating; avoid falling or excessive abduction of the thigh which may cause the wound to split; it is not advisable to be discharged from the hospital on the day of stitches removal. Wound splitting often occurs on the day of stitches removal. If the wound splits after returning home, it will cause trouble to deal with.

Avoid hematoma from wounds

In the first few days after delivery, new mothers should lie on their right side to promote the outflow of accumulated blood in the wound, so as to prevent internal accumulation and formation of hematoma, which will affect healing. It can also prevent endometrial fragments in lochia from flowing into the wound and forming endometriosis in the future. After 4-5 days, when the wound grows more firmly and it is difficult for lochia to flow in, you can adopt a left-right alternating lying position. Pay attention to the condition of the perineal incision. If the wound becomes painful within 1-2 hours after the operation and it becomes more and more severe, you should contact a doctor immediately for timely treatment.