An episiotomy is a surgical incision made in the perineum, the tissue between the vagina and the anus, to widen the vaginal opening for childbirth. It is usually performed when labor is induced or when there is a delay in delivery. Although an episiotomy may be necessary, it can also be painful.
The majority of women report that an episiotomy hurts more than tearing does. This may be due to the fact that an episiotomy is a deliberate cut rather than a natural tear. The pain may also be worse because stitches are used to close up the wound after delivery. Some women find that they have difficulty walking and sitting due to discomfort from their episiotomy wound.
Fortunately, with proper care, most women will recover from their episiotomy relatively quickly. There are some things you can do to help reduce your pain:
-Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen as prescribed by your doctor for post-operative pain relief
-Soak in warm water (not hot) for 10 minutes several times a day
-Apply ice packs wrapped in cloths for 20 minutes at a time every few hours as needed
-Use sanitary pads rather than tampons until your doctor tells you it’s okay to resume using them
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