Guidelines for proper perineal wound care after childbirth

After undergoing a normal delivery process, it is highly recommended that you do perineal wound care. The reason is, stretching the perineal area during childbirth often causes it to tear. That is why it is important to know how to care for the perineal suture wound after normal delivery so that it does not reopen.

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Is it certain that the vagina is torn during childbirth?

Before finding out more about treatment or how to treat perineal suture wounds after a normal delivery, first understand the cause of vaginal tearing.

When undergoing a normal delivery process, the vagina can be torn into the perineal area.

The perineum is the area that lies between the vagina and anus.

This may sound alarming, but usually the tearing that occurs in the perineum is not severe.

The obstetrician or midwife will check carefully to see if there are tears after you go into labor.

If the tear in the perineum is felt to be open large enough, stitches need to be done so that the perineal area after giving birth is back to normal as before.

In addition, you will also need stitches if you are doing an episiotomy in the perineal area.

Episiotomy, aka vaginal scissors, aims to enlarge the vaginal opening so that the process of giving birth to a baby can be easier.

You will need an episiotomy if the labor requires the help of tools, such as forceps and vacuum.

The reason is, the use of forceps and vacuum can only be done when the condition of the vagina is wide enough.

This is why mothers need to know how to care for perineal and vaginal suture wounds after a normal delivery.

This normal postpartum care is distinctly different from post-caesarean section care.

This is because it takes time to heal the caesarean section scar with SC (Caesarean) wound treatment.

In addition, the difference lies in the areas that are treated after normal delivery and cesarean section.

How long do the sutures in the vagina and perineum take to heal?

You may ask, how many days will the stitches after a normal delivery heal?

Usually, the episiotomy begins to show signs of recovery about 2 weeks after delivery.

Quoted from the University of Michigan Health, this also depends on how deep the tear or incision is made by the doctor.

Perineal sutures usually begin to heal within 3-4 weeks of normal delivery.

After two months, the pain or tenderness in the vagina and perineum due to stitches after normal delivery generally has gone away.

However, it may take about six months for the perineal area to completely heal.

That is why, make sure you understand how to care for the perineal suture wound after normal delivery so that it does not open.

Although postpartum perineal suture wounds cannot be ascertained when it will heal, this treatment aims to prevent the stitches from opening again and drying quickly.

Normal postpartum sutures are bruised and swollen

Not only do you experience tearing, you may also experience bruising or swelling after giving birth.

Small and large bruises are usually caused by pressure from the baby's head as it passes through the vaginal opening in your vagina.

If the baby needs assistance during labor, some of the equipment used to assist it can also cause bruising.

The size of the bruise can vary from small to large. A bruise that is large and swollen is called a hematoma.

Hematomas that are small in size usually go away on their own without needing treatment.

How is the perineal wound treated?

Knowing proper perineal wound care after normal delivery is important to prevent infection.

On the other hand, applying suture wound care to the perineum properly and properly also speeds up healing of the surrounding area.

The following is the treatment or how to treat perineal suture wounds after childbirth so that they heal quickly:

1. Always keep the vaginal area clean

It is recommended that you clean the perineal area every time you shower, after urinating, or defecating during the perineal wound treatment period.

Maybe you have heard about the use of salt mixed into water for bathing.

In fact, there is no specific difference regarding the length of time the healing process takes when you use salt water instead of plain water in the treatment of perineal wounds.

So, it's okay to stick to the water you normally use for bathing as a treatment or how to treat perineal suture wounds after childbirth.

Maintaining cleanliness is also expected to be a quick way to dry stitches after giving birth.

2. Avoid using tampons during the treatment of perineal wounds

After childbirth or in the puerperium, there will usually be normal bleeding known as lochia.

To collect blood during the puerperium, you can use a bandage. It is also important to always change sanitary napkins regularly.

However, it is better to avoid using tampons as a form of perineal wound care.

This is because tampons are considered to be more likely to cause infection because of their use that must be inserted into the vagina.

Also, wash your hands before and after to avoid infection in the process of treating your perineal wound.

3. Drink lots of water

Straining too hard during bowel movements can stretch the scar on the perineal suture after normal delivery so that it feels sore and sore.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that you drink lots of water as an effort to treat perineal wounds.

Apart from keeping the body well hydrated, drinking enough water can also prevent constipation.

Experiencing constipation or having trouble having a bowel movement after giving birth can make you try harder to push.

It would be even better if you consume drinks and food sources after childbirth that are rich in fiber, such as vegetables and fruits that are high in protein.

Even though it looks trivial, drinking water regularly and consuming fiber can be a good way to treat perineal sutures after normal delivery.

4. Avoid having sex for a while

Other treatments or ways to treat perineal suture wounds after normal childbirth are by avoiding sex.

During this time, it is not recommended that you have sex after giving birth until the perineal pain is no longer felt.

Avoiding sex for a while is hoped to be a quick way to dry up postpartum suture wounds.

5. Do the exercises pelvic floor

One of the other postpartum perineal suture wound treatments is exercise pelvic floor for example Kegel exercises.

This exercise can improve circulation and prevent leakage in the intestines or urine.

Exercising the pelvic muscles (pelvis) can be a way to treat perineal and vaginal suture wounds after normal delivery because it improves blood flow to the damaged tissue.

6. Air out the sutures of the perineal wound

In order to heal quickly, you can aerate the perineal suture scar after normal delivery so it doesn't feel sore, sore, and dries quickly.

You do this by removing your underwear for about 10 minutes, laying your body on the mattress, then bending and opening your legs.

It's best to use cotton underwear that is slightly loose and avoid tight pants.

Not only that, you should also use dress relax until the pants are loose so that the air circulation in the vaginal area remains smooth.

How do you relieve pain in the stitches?

There are times, during the healing period the perineal area feels uncomfortable to the point of pain.

You can try the following tips as perineal suture wound care after childbirth:

• Apply a cold compress to treat perineal wounds. Avoid using it for more than half an hour.
• Flush the vaginal suture area after urinating with clean water, then dry it with a tissue from front to back.
• If you feel uncomfortable sitting on a hard chair, try sitting on a pillow.
• Take safe pain relievers during breastfeeding, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin).
• When the perineal area starts to feel uncomfortable after long standing, sit down immediately.

The characteristics of a normal postpartum dry suture wound

As you experience discomfort and pain in the suture scar, keep in mind that the wound will dry out over time.

Therefore, you need to be consistent in treating normal postpartum perineal suture wounds.

The following are signs or characteristics that the stitches have dried, such as:

• There will be new tissue that grows gradually and fills in the gaps in the suture area.
• The new tissue usually looks pink and may bleed a little.
• Usually there will be red scars that will fade on their own.
• In resurfacing wounds, it will usually heal a little faster.

Maybe you will feel impatient because when treating perineal wounds, the healing period varies from person to person.

How the wound dries depends on where the wound is, how deep it is, and how long the infection has been.

When to see a doctor when treating perineal wounds?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that you continue to regularly see a doctor after giving birth.

Try to consult your doctor again regarding your health, especially the condition of the perineal sutures, about 3-12 weeks after giving birth.

The doctor may also do an examination of the vagina, cervix, and uterus to make sure the area is healing properly.

Therefore, make sure you apply proper care or how to treat perineal suture wounds after giving birth.

Do not forget, convey any questions or complaints that have been felt since after giving birth to undergoing perineal wound treatment.

In addition, you also need to pay attention if the following things appear during the perineal suture wound treatment period, namely:

• Odor-smelling vaginal discharge.
• Pain after urinating.
• Frequent urination (urinary incontinence).
• Postpartum hemorrhage.
• Severe pain in the perineum, pelvis, and lower abdomen.
• High fever.

This could be a sign of a problem with your vaginal or perineal suture marks. Especially when you feel achy and sore after (after) normal delivery.

Do not delay to consult in person and ahead of schedule if you experience these various conditions.