About this topic
A vaginal birth means that your baby was born through the vagina. How fast you get well will depend on many things. One is if you have had a cut in the area between your vaginal opening and your anus. A cut in this area is an episiotomy. How long your labor was and how much rest you get can also impact your healing. Most of the time, a womans body takes 6 to 8 weeks to heal from child birth. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do.
- Use a well-fitting bra for support.
- Use sanitary pads. Ask your doctor when you may use tampons or douche.
- Take a sitz bath 3 to 4 times each day. Sit in 2 to 3 inches of warm water in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes each time. Carefully wipe your bottom afterwards.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Take your drugs as ordered.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may give you a drug for pain. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain drugs often work just fine. Ask your doctor what to take if you are breastfeeding. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. Ask your doctor when you may safely: ‚
- Drive
- Have sex
- Lift heavy objects
- Climb stairs
- Work out
Do not lift older children. Let older children climb into your lap. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Uterine infection
- Tear of tissue around the vagina
- Blood clots in your legs
- Infection in your breasts
- Depression
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine, or wound that will not heal.
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of wound infection such as swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Problems with pain that does not go away, or gets worse
- Swollen, hard, or painful breasts
- Feeling very sad or low mood
- Problems with your urine or bowel movements
- Sudden, large amounts of vaginal bleeding
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Take a nap when your baby sleeps.
- Do something that can help you relax like reading books or listening to music.
- Make time for you and your partner to be alone and talk.
- Make time for you and your partner to enjoy your baby.
- Breastfeeding is good for the baby and for you.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have large amounts of vaginal bleeding, swollen or painful breasts, or feel very sad or have a low mood.
Where can I learn more?
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Womens Health ‚
http://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/childbirth-beyond/recovering-from-birth.cfm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚