Recovery can be uncomfortable. The amount of pain you have depends on how deep and long the incision is. You may have pain when you sit, walk, urinate, or have bowel movements. If you get enough fibre and fluids and use stool softeners or laxatives, you may have less pain during bowel movements.
If you had any tearing or an episiotomy, it's normal to experience some sharp stinging as urine comes into contact with the healing tissue. It can take three to six weeks for soreness and tearing-related pain to fully ease up.
Pouring warm water over the outer area of your vagina as you pee may also help ease the discomfort. You may find squatting over the toilet, rather than sitting on it, reduces the stinging sensation when peeing. When you're pooing, you may find it useful to place a clean pad on the cut and press gently.
In the first few days after giving birth, you may feel pain or burning when you urinate (pee). Or you may try to urinate but find that you can't. Sometimes you may not be able to stop urinating. This is called incontinence.
If you have stitches or even small tears, you can have burning and stinging when you urinate. Get a plastic bottle with a spray top and fill it with warm water before you urinate. Spray the warm water on your perineum while you urinate. This will dilute your urine and make urinating more comfortable.
If you are recovering from a vaginal tear, use a peri (squirt) bottle to dilute your urine when you pee. Drink lots of water and try to eat high-fiber foods like fruits and vegetables to avoid constipation, and stool softeners if needed. After you use the bathroom, pat the area dry instead of rubbing.
The stitches in the skin should heal in 5-10 days. The underlying stitches in your muscle layer will take longer to heal. These won't completely heal for 12 weeks. For the stitches that you can see, make sure to watch for any signs of infection.
Pouring warm water over your genital area can help as it reduces the stinging sensation when passing urine.
Try to go to the toilet every two to three hours for the first few days after giving birth. You should pass urine within the first 6 hours after birth if you don't have a urinary catheter in place. If you do have a urinary catheter in place, you should void within 6 hours after this has been removed.
After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath). Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards.
After your stitches, clips and dressings have been removed
You should be able to wash normally after your stitches, dressings and clips have been removed. It's usually better to have a shower until the wound has healed to avoid soaking it completely. Afterwards, pat your wound and the area around it dry.
You might feel sharp, shooting pains in your wound area. This may be a sign that you're getting sensations back in your nerves. The feeling should become less intense and happen less often over time, but check with your doctor if you're concerned.
Straight talk: The first poop after giving birth can be challenging. It can be hard to pass, and may be more painful than you expected. That's because after you give birth, the perineum (the area between the bottom of the vaginal opening and the anus) is still sore and tender, especially if you have stitches.
If your perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and the anus) was cut by your doctor or if it was torn during the birth, the stitches may make it painful to sit or walk for a little while during healing. It also can be painful when you cough or sneeze during the healing time.
What can cause urinary retention? Pain in the vulva and perineum (the area between your back passage/anus and birth canal/vagina). Swelling in and around the vagina/birth canal. An epidural or spinal anaesthetic can alter the sensation in your lower body.
Following the birth of your baby, you may have difficulty emptying your bladder or have changes to the normal sensation to pass urine. If the bladder is not emptying properly then the urine that is left behind can build up over time, this is known as Urinary Retention.
During cesarean section, due to the impact on the body, it can cause bladder contusion. This results in bladder paralysis and urinary retention after delivery. In addition, postpartum urinary obstruction can occur due to pelvic nerve damage during delivery.
You may feel a slight burning when the catheter is removed. What can I expect after the urinary catheter is removed? Your bladder and urethra may be irritated for 24 to 48 hours after the catheter has been removed. These problems should go away after urinating a few times.
Reduce your discomfort
Sit in a warm bath (sitz bath). Place cold packs or heat packs on your stitches. Keep a thin towel between the pack and your skin. Sit on a firm seat so the stitches pull less.
How do I know if this has happened to me? Wound breakdown can cause an increase in pain, new bleeding or pus-like discharge. You may also begin to feel unwell. Sometimes women notice some stitch material coming away soon after they have had their baby, or can see for themselves that the wound has opened.
Redness. The area may be swollen, sore, and red in color right after you've sustained your injury. This is normal as blood is being sent to the area to supply oxygen and other nutrients for healing. But if the wound is still red and swollen after five days, it's a sign that your body is not healing correctly.
If you've had stitches, you will need lots of rest for the first 24 hours after they are put in. Lie down on your side rather than sit, as sitting puts pressure on your stitches .
If you have stitches after tearing your perineum, don't fret, it's fine to have a bath. In fact, it's recommended to bathe your stitches every day to help prevent infection. This can be done in the bathtub, or more frequently using a sitz tub.