Perineal Care for 2nd Degree

Marcella05 · May 2014

My hospital wasn't very clear with me on how to take care of myself after delivery and their discharge instructions weren't the best. I was given a few things and sent on my way, so I've been using the internet to cope with the pains of my 2nd degree tear, stitches, and [blush] hemerroids. I am about to run out of Epifoam, have plenty of Tucks, Dermoplast, cream for the roids, ice packs, sit on my Boppy, and just started using the sitz bath yesterday... what else can I do to find relief and/or promote healing?

Lizmullen · May 2014

I'm having a hard time with this too! It's been a week and I'm still in pain. I've been trying to let the area dry as much as possible. I felt like the dermaplast they have me didn't do anything.

I'm not sure Id sit on a boppy. Seems like it would stretch the area out?

Marcella05 · May 2014

Using Boppy like a donut pillow, which is common for hemerroid relief. Sitting directly on the couch or hard surface is too uncomfortable and borderline torture. At the same time, maybe I should be using those muscles more by sitting normally? Ugh dunno

sthomas1222 · May 2014

For my 3rd degree with DD I did percocet and ibuprofen for the first 4-5 days, then just ibuprofen for about 2-3 weeks. Taking it easy, don't lift, don't squat. I'd stop with the ice packs b/c it can cause rebound swelling, inflammation, and pain.

stephierd81 · May 2014

Also the hemorrhoid suppositories were recommended by a friend and seem to be working some for me. No additional advice on the tear. I'm doing the same you are pretty much for my episiotomy.

ns1 · May 2014

I remember using tucks, dermoplast, hydrocortisone cream (xtra strenth prescription), and that peri bottle thing. As for sitting on pillows...I used a normal pillow and sat very gently for a long time. I agree with PP a boppy or those donut pillows made for hemmies appapparently tend to spread the area out more and cause more pressure pushing on all the painfulness.

momo214 · May 2014

Same here with the pain! I'm usually ok but the stinging is the worst. Going pee is unbearable and I pretty much pee standing up to prevent it from running back. Then the random sharp stabbing pain from trying to get up. Ugh!! This post pregnancy stuff is worse than labor!!

MissLadyTay · May 2014

I had several second degree tears, I feel your pain. Def sit on the Boppy. I sat on a travel neck pillow and it eased the pain. I took lots of pain meds. I turned a corner right at two weeks. I'm still sore when sitting upright or after a long walk (three weeks PP now) but mostly the pain is gone.

whitehousem · May 2014

Per my discharge instructions, I've been taking 600mg of ibruprofen every six hours for two weeks... I'm on my second bottle. If I let it wear off there is increased pain and pressure. Also, it's worse if I stand too much and that causes increased bleeding too. I was given Vicodin and would take a half of one when I was really uncomfortable for the first week or so. I'm 2 weeks pp and it's not too bad at this point.

Eta: with DD I had two tears... One was my labia and it took months to heal and was never really the same. I had to use a special estrogen cream prescribed by my OB to promote healing.

MrsT2008 · May 2014

Tucks, sitz, ibuprofen, peri bottle, over and over. Keep on top of the meds.

Marcella05 · May 2014

Meds is where I'm failing. I'm taking 400 mg of ibuprofen but they prescribed me something stronger ... time to go fetch me some drugs!!

oscarwao · May 2014

mollynicole214 said:

Same here with the pain! I'm usually ok but the stinging is the worst. Going pee is unbearable and I pretty much pee standing up to prevent it from running back. Then the random sharp stabbing pain from trying to get up. Ugh!! This post pregnancy stuff is worse than labor!!

Peeing was killing me, I think I tore pretty close to my urethra. I've found that if I stream water on myself with the peri bottle while I got it is a little less painful.

Lizmullen · May 2014

I'm still in pain from my 2nd degree tear and it's been a week. When does it get better!

Junebug060609 · May 2014

Kimbus22 said:
Painkillers, donut pillow and peri bottle. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Word. Bless that Peri bottle

mcnava · May 2014

pooping is awful. Not the actual pooping itself, but cleaning up after it. It's hard to avoid the stitches. And I was a level 3 tear.

cowpoly959 · May 2014

Two weeks out I really feel like I have turned a corner. I still get sore if I do too much or go for a long walk. The first week was a nightmare. I also get really sensitive and sore after a shower? That's the weird one for me. Anyone else have that?

Marcella05 · May 2014

A hot shower feels good to me. But finding time to shower is a whole different story!

mariedianne · May 2014

I used betadine mixed with water. use your peri bottle. it's effective. healed in 3 weeks. For med Dr prescribed diclofenac supp and laxative

MrsT2008 · May 2014

Marcella05 said:

Meds is where I'm failing. I'm taking 400 mg of ibuprofen but they prescribed me something stronger ... time to go fetch me some drugs!!

Definitely go stronger! I'm on 600mg and it seems to be doing a good job.

Ezilia · May 2014

Everything that was said plus Doula said to rub castor oil every day once the stitches are gone. Only 8 days since I had DS so did not start yet.

Tnpeach · May 2014

MrsT2008 said:
Tucks, sitz, ibuprofen, peri bottle, over and over. Keep on top of the meds.

This. Exactly this.

MrsT2008 · May 2014

ooh yes, sit on a pillow, ESPECIALLY if you're sitting on a seat that has no cushion (like at the kitchen table, etc). I'm okay sitting on the couch, but I remember that I had to sit on a throw pillow at the kitchen table for a week or two after DD1

crystalmir91385 · May 2014

Same a PP said. I don't even know how bad/what degree mine was, but it was bad enough that ALL of the nurses knew about it, not just mine (so I'm guessing a third degree). I used the peri bottle, tucks, dermoplast, ibuprofen and Norco(?). The Dr. wouldn't give me a prescription for Percoset, even tho it worked tons better when I was on it at the hospital. I was also a fan of sitting on the Boppy.

I was feeling better a little past the 2 week mark. I'm now at 3 weeks, and only get a random twinge of pain.

mrs.cjlange · May 2014

I had a 2nd degree tear with DD and the peri bottle, tucks pads and epifoam (i put them in a maxi pad for at least 2 weeks postpartum), and i went out and bought those moistened toilet paper wipes which helped SO MUCH with going to the bathroom. tucks pads were my best friends. i really didn't sit on any hard surfaces, pretty much lived on the couch and avoided stairs.

Bootsie327 · May 2014

mcnava said:
pooping is awful. Not the actual pooping itself, but cleaning up after it. It's hard to avoid the stitches. And I was a level 3 tear.

I had my first terrifying poop last night. I used the squirt bottle they gave me, and gently patted dry with a soft paper towel, repeated until clean. Basically every trip to the bathroom is a production!

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