Not every baby has a tiny head, is born at the perfect speed and in the perfect position, and not every woman is blessed with the abilities of “Stretch Armstrong” when it comes to childbirth; so it’s not surprising that more than half of women either tear or have an episiotomy during labor. It’s extremely common and unfortunately, recovery can be quite painful. But, there are some things that you can do to make it a little more comfortable.
One of the best things you can do to help the recovery process is to take two or three brief, shallow Epsom salt baths per day in the weeks following your delivery. The Epsom salts help to heal the area and also bring immediate relief. In addition to the baths, use a peri bottle filled with warm water each time you use the bathroom to keep the area clean. A peri bottle is just a small squirt bottle (and can be sanitized and re-purposed after your recovery as the perfect tool for rinsing shampoo out of your baby’s hair).
The hospital may also give you an aerosol anesthetic, like Dermoplast Pain Relieving Spray, that disinfects and instantly numbs the area. This would be applied (squat and spray) after you have rinsed with the peri bottle and carefully blotted the area dry with tissue.
You can also follow up with an ice pack for extra relief. They have ice packs specially made for this purpose and they look like thick maxi pads. They can make sitting down during those first few days much more bearable and help to numb the area.
It is extremely important to eat a diet high in fiber and take a stool softener if necessary. Your doctor can suggest a stool softener that should not interfere with breastfeeding if you choose to nurse your baby. It is also important to abstain from intercourse and the use of tampons for at least six weeks to avoid damaging the stitches and causing an infection. You should also do your Kegels frequently to help re-strengthen the perineum.