How to care for the episiotomy wound during normal delivery, so that it can heal quickly

Women who have given birth naturally will generally undergo an episiotomy to avoid lacerations in the birth canal. After the episiotomy, good care must be taken to avoid infection, keep the perineum clean and dry, avoid wound ruptures, avoid strenuous activity, and eat a light diet.

1. Avoid hematoma in wounds

When sleeping or lying in bed, it is best to lie on the side without the perineal wound to reduce the chance of lochia flowing into the perineal wound. After 4-5 days, when the wound has grown more firmly and lochia is difficult to flow out, you can adopt a left-right alternating lying position.

Pay attention to the condition of the perineal incision. If pain occurs in the wound within 1-2 hours after the operation and becomes increasingly severe, you should contact a doctor immediately for timely treatment.

2. Keep the perineum clean

After an episiotomy, the wound should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection. Within 3 days after surgery, the hospital often uses sterilized cotton balls to clean the vulva. After being discharged from the hospital, the mother is required to wash the vulva with warm water twice a day and rinse it once after defecation. When wiping after defecation, she should wipe from front to back to avoid contamination of the wound by excrement.

Generally, the incision can heal in 3-5 days. Remember to change sanitary pads frequently to avoid getting them wet and soaking the wound.

3. Prevent perineal incision from dehiscence 1. Perform anal contraction exercises early to promote the recovery of pelvic floor tissue, perineum tissue and birth canal. 2. When defecating, it is best to sit and try to shorten the time. 3. Avoid exerting force: Do not exert force when defecating to avoid reopening the repaired wound. 4. Do not lift heavy objects: Within 1 month after delivery, do not lift heavy objects or do any housework or exercise that requires physical effort. 5. When constipation occurs, do not exhale and forcefully expand the perineum. You can use a suppository or liquid paraffin for lubrication, especially in the first 2-3 days after the stitches are removed. Avoid squatting or exerting force. 6. Avoid falling or excessive abduction of the thigh which may cause the wound to split.

7. Avoid sexual activity: Sexual activity should be avoided within 6 weeks after delivery.

4. Avoid perineal incision infection. When the wound is swollen, painful, hardened, and has purulent secretions when squeezed, antibiotics should be taken under the guidance of a doctor and the sutures should be removed to facilitate the discharge of pus.

Use 1:5000 potassium permanganate warm water for sitz bath twice a day for 10-15 minutes each time, or use heat-clearing, detoxifying and knot-dispersing Chinese herbal decoction to clean the wound.