After giving birth through nature, the perineal area suffered the most and is the most severe. The pressure of the baby's head is so great that the perineum sometimes breaks or is incised to facilitate the birth of the baby. How to care for the perineum during the puerperium so that it heals quickly and stops hurting?
Perineum after childbirthevery mother hurts naturally. Some women can sit up very quickly with almost no discomfort, while others feel pain for weeks or even months, mentioningperineal healingas the most unpleasant part of the puerperium.
Pain in the perineum after childbirth: causes
The perineum, the area between the vaginal opening and the anus, must withstand the enormous pressure of the baby's nascent head during delivery, so it's no wonder that it is then sore and stretched, possibly swollen, bruised.
The pressure of the head is so great that the perineum sometimes breaks or becomes incised. And this is the main cause of pain, because that's when a wound is formed, and it needs to be stitched. And it is difficult to walk with it, sitting is sometimes impossible, you feel a burning sensation during visits to the toilet, and until the stitches are removed (about the 5th day after childbirth) - unpleasant skin pulling and pinching, often also numbness.
Although episiotomy is often abused, it does not need to be demonized - many women find it very easy to heal wounds, especially when they follow proven advice.
Postpartum perineal hygiene
Washing, drying, airing - these are the three basic conditions for wounds to heal quickly. But just in the case of this place it is not easy at all. Hygiene is the most important thing, so you have to wash yourself 3-4 times a day (under running water, front to back). For washing the perineum after childbirth, it is best to use specially designed preparations.
After washing the perineum, gently dry it with a disposable paper towel - it must be soft and absorb water well. Do not rub your crotch to avoid damaging the seams. To dry the area as thoroughly as possible (moisture is conducive to bacteria), use a hair dryer after drying it with paper. The air stream, however, must not be too strong or hot, it should be warm and gentle.
After the toilet, put on a foundation. For the first days of the puerperium, traditional disposable diapers for babies will be the best - they arelarger and more absorbent than sanitary napkins. Change the foundations often, even every 2-3 hours.
Note:wash your hands not only after changing the backing, but also before , to avoid introducing germs to the wound area. As for underwear, at first, when the excrement is abundant, disposable panties will be comfortable, after a few days you can use ordinary cotton panties. In the first days, airing the wound is very important. How to do it? When your baby is asleep and you are home alone, lie down on the couch or the floor (blanket or towel) without any linen. Place a cushion under your buttocks (it must not touch the perineum), bend your legs slightly and place them as if on a gynecological chair. Rest in this way for 15-20 minutes 2-3 times a day (be careful not to catch a cold!). If you are embarrassed to be exposed, put a sheet on your knees.
Ways to have a easier birth
Washing the perineal wound after childbirth
In addition to washing the perineum, you can use chamomile, calendula, oak bark or arnica infusions. These plants have antibacterial properties and facilitate wound healing. The wound can also be washed with a light solution of potassium permanganate - it should be pale pink in color, not purple. If the perineum still hurts after removing the stitches, you can lubricate it with dedicated ointments.
The thickening at the suture site is absorbed up to 6 weeks. If it goes on for longer, there is a risk of keloids developing (the overgrown tissue forms a bulge on the body that looks like a thick string to the touch). Postpartum keloids are rare, but when they do appear, the doctor should prescribe a scar ointment.
How to reduce perineal pain after childbirth?
Once your perineum has been incised, it will be rather painful for at least a few days, especially while sitting or urinating. To reduce discomfort, it is worth buying a special pillow with a hole for sitting or sitting on an inflated swimming ring. Temporary pain can be relieved by cold compresses - wrap a few ice cubes (or frozen vegetables) in a clean cotton cloth and put them against the perineum for 10-15 minutes. When that doesn't help, you can take paracetamol medication.
Burning caused by the contact of the wound with urine can be reduced by rinsing the perineum with water immediately after urinating or even simultaneously. You can do it in the shower, but it's also convenient to keep a jug or a bottle of water in the toilet and pee while you pee in the front (while sitting on the toilet, make room in the front).
Important exercises for the pelvic floor and perineum
Kegel exercises are a very important and underestimated element of postpartum recovery. It's best to do thempregnant, but it's not too late now - start exercising as soon as possible, even 24 hours after giving birth. The exercises involve tightening the muscles around your vagina and anus as if you want to hold back urine while you pass it. Hold for 5-10 seconds, then relax your muscles and tighten again. Increase the strength of your tense muscles and the number of repetitions each day until you reach 50 or more. Kegel exercises stimulate circulation around the perineum and restore the proper tension to the muscles of the perineum and pelvic floor, speeding up recovery and preventing many he alth problems in the future.
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