In the article, we will consider why the perineum hurts after childbirth and what to do in this case.
The perineum is the area between the anus and the vagina. During natural delivery, it experiences a lot of pressure and stress, as it stretches a lot so that the baby's head can pass through the hole. Since there is a strong stretching of the tissues, women experience pain in the perineum after childbirth.
Discomfort without incisions
Women who did not have incisions during childbirth are very surprised, feeling discomfort and heaviness in the vulva. Therefore, logical questions often arise about how much the perineum hurts after childbirth. If this process has passed without additional medical intervention, then the pain in the muscles of the vulva worries the woman about 7-8 days after the birth of the child. This process is normal, it is a recovery period when the muscles return to their formercondition. By its nature, the resulting pain resembles the soreness that occurs when soft tissues are bruised.
In some cases, a woman may experience swelling on the labia majora as a result of childbirth, as well as a slight bluing.
In addition, if a woman does not have enough subcutaneous fat in her vulva, she may feel that her perineal bones hurt after childbirth. In this case, you should not be afraid - just discomfort from a bruise gives into the tissues located nearby.
Ways to alleviate the condition
To alleviate her own condition when the perineum hurts after childbirth, a woman is recommended to follow certain recommendations:
- On the first day after discharge from the maternity hospital, the woman should ensure bed rest. The most correct position in this case would be the so-called pose of a star: the young mother should be on a bed covered with a special hygienic diaper, without underwear and trousers. In this case, the legs should be placed in such a way as to provide air access to the wound area.
- Do not touch the injured area, perform personal hygiene procedures with caution, directing warm water to the bruised area.
- It is recommended to use special sanitary pads designed for women in labor (they are made of cotton, do not have relief and fragrances). Replacement should be done at intervals of 2-3 hours to avoid debate.
- Do not use toilet paperrecommended, should be washed with warm water.
- Some doctors advise putting pads in the freezer for a while before use. In this case, the hygiene product will be cool, which will reduce discomfort.
- If discomfort occurs while sitting, it is recommended to purchase a special pillow in an orthopedic store and place it under the buttocks.
- It is allowed to take baths based on chamomile decoction. Daily baths for 5-10 minutes will significantly reduce soreness.
- It is allowed to use Ibuprofen for the first three days, but only if the doctor allows it.
- In the case when the discomfort persists for more than 10 days, you should consult a gynecologist. He will examine the woman and, if there is no pathology, will recommend the use of a special cooling gel or pain medication.
Tears, cuts
Many wonder why the perineum hurts after childbirth. The process of natural delivery does not always go smoothly. Quite often, the fetus is large, and the female pelvis is not intended for such an expansion. In order not to injure the newborn and not cause unnecessary pain to the woman, obstetricians make an incision in the perineum to widen the exit for the normal passage of the baby's head.
They also make cuts to prevent tearing. This is due to the fact that smooth fabrics are easier to sew,than lacerations, and in this case it heals faster, and the likelihood of bleeding is much lower. The incision is sutured with non-absorbable sutures. In fact, this is a small operation. Soreness after childbirth, in which women received stitches in the perineal area, persists for about 3-4 weeks.
Inseam
In addition, internal seams can cause discomfort. They are imposed if during childbirth there were ruptures in the womb or uterine cervix. Scars of this nature heal quickly enough, while the threads completely dissolve, or go out through the vagina. Internal seams cause much less discomfort for a woman, the intensity of pain in the perineum is lower, it lasts up to 21 days.
Rules for seam care
The most important aspect in the care of the seam is hygiene, as their danger lies in the possibility of suppuration or infection. Infection of the vulva is fraught with the penetration of the virus into the uterus and the development of endometritis, which is long and difficult to treat. The basic rules for suture care are as follows:
- Hygiene should be done twice a day using warm water and antibacterial soap.
- Use special sanitary pads to prevent wrestling and itching in the perineum.
- After every visit to the toilet, wash with warm water.
- During the first three days, the seam should be treated with an antiseptic. You can use "Miramistin", peroxidehydrogen, any other drug that does not provoke irritation or burning.
- If the stitches are located in the vagina, treatment can be carried out with cotton wool, which is completely saturated with an antiseptic.
What if the perineum hurts for a long time after childbirth?
Situations in which you should see a doctor
You should contact your gynecologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Temperature increase in the absence of any external factors.
- Discharge of large amounts of pus.
- Appearance of unpleasant discharge that has a yellow-green color and a putrid odor.
- Increased swelling, edema.
- Seam divergence.
Self-medication and the slightest delay in such a situation can lead to dangerous consequences.
We looked at what it means when the perineum hurts after childbirth.
