How to cope with stitches and bruising

If you’ve had a cut (an episiotomy) or a tear during the birth, you’ll probably feel very sore and uncomfortable for a while.

If you are in hospital avoid infection by ensuring the bath is spotlessly clean before you get in, or take showers wherever possible.

Other things that will help:

• Use a bidet (if possible).
• Eat a diet rich in fibre so that passing a motion is easy.
• Keep the area scrupulously clean and use soft tissues to pat the area dry.
• Practise your pelvic floor muscle exercises every day to increase the flow of blood to your stitches and speed up healing.
• While on the loo, pour a jug of cooled, boiled water over your stitches.
• If you are worried about opening your bowels for the first time, fold a clean sanitary pad in half and hold this on your stitches while you go. 
• Rest and sleep on your side as much as possible. Your midwife will show you how to feed lying on your side.
• Sit on a soft pillow or a Valley Cushion, which your hospital might be able to lend to you (also on hire from the National Childbirth Trust).
• If you are bruised, the homeopathic remedy arnica may help.