Postpartum Recovery
What is a vaginal tear (perineal laceration)?
The perineum is defined as the tissue between the vaginal and anal opening. Vaginal tears also known as perineal lacerations can occur between the vaginal opening and anus. These are very common, and 90% of women have these tears during their first childbirth. The tears may be superficial or deep and are categorized based on the degree of severity.
What are risks associated with vaginal tears?
After childbirth, typically an obstetrician will repair the vaginal tear with stitches. These stitches take time to dissolve. Most of the time women heal and fully recover.
However 20% of women postpartum may experience:
- Infections
- Poor Wound Healing
- Pain at the site of the sutures
- Urinary Incontinence
- Fecal Incontinence
- Sexual Dysfunction
Healing & Recovery
For recovery, it is important to not avoid heavy lifting and straining. Prevent constipation and use a stool softener or laxative if required prescribed by your provider. Wait until you are cleared by your provider before sexual relations and pelvic floor exercises. Typically, your provider will re-evaluate you in 6-8 weeks from the delivery. It may take up to 3 months before the pain and discomfort you are experiencing in the perineum improves.
The time required to heal from a childbirth will vary based on the degree of the vaginal tear. The more serious the tear is, the longer time a tear may require for recovery. Women with deeper vaginal tears, are more likely to have painful intercourse may have more up to 6 months after delivery. They are also more likely to have increased pain at the repaired site (15% vs 6%) at 6 months.
What do I need to prepare?
Ice, Ice, Ice!
There are many great inventions to help with these days, there are reusable and disposable perineal ice pads available.
Sitz Baths
A Sitz Bath is a shallow bath you sit in to cleanse the perineum and relieve pain and itching. You can take a Sitz Bath with a small plastic tub that fits over the toilet. Fill the container with enough warm water to cover the perineum. Then, sit in the tub for 15 to 20 minutes 3-5 times a day.
Peri-Bottle
This is also known as a perineal irrigation bottle. This acts a mini bidet. It is filled with warm water (sometimes with witch hazel if no allergies) and squirted at the vulva after voiding or a bowel movement to prevent irritation/wiping with toilet paper. This also prevents burning from urine and keeps the area clean
Warm Compresses
Applying warm compresses to the
perineum can help with pain
Doughnut Seat Cushion
- Due to the sutures prevent sitting for long periods of time
- Sitting on a doughnut seat cushion assists with pain
- At night try to sleep on your side