Whether you had an episiotomy or not, and regardless of whether you had stitches or not your perineum will be sore.
As your perineum begins to heal you can help it along by doing the kegel exercises we've been doing throughout pregnancy. These will help return the flow of blood to the area, helping it heal more quickly, even if you had stitches.
If you did need to have stitches, your doctor or midwife will discuss how to care for them and what your recovery will be like. They may even prescribe some medications to assist in pain relief. The stitches are generally going to dissolve on their own, though you may see bits of the threads come off on the toilet paper. Ask your practitioner to show you the sutures and explain what you are looking for as far as infection goes (odor, extreme redness, swelling).
For all bottoms the following measures will feel good and promote healing:
- Kegeling: Again to promote healing and blood flow return.
- Sitz bath: Warm bath with or without medications/herbs, sometimes portable as in over the toilet.
- Air out: Try sitting on a pad without underwear at least once a day.
- Warmth: Some practitioners recommend a heat lamp or a hair dryer on a warm but slow setting for pain relief.
- Cold: You can use ice packs or special pads with cold packs built in. These are especially great the first few days when you may be swollen.
- Medications: You can use prescription medications, but many doctors and midwives will tell you that the use of witch hazel pads (like Tucks®) work just as well to help with itching and soreness.
