Episiotomy treatment and recovery

An episiotomy is a surgical cut through the perineum to help the baby’s birth in a specific situation. After delivery, the clinician checks the cut and nearby tissues, provides appropriate anaesthesia if needed, and closes the layers with stitches. The repair approach depends on the depth and direction of the cut and whether a tear is also present.

Tenderness, bruising, tightness and discomfort when sitting can occur early in recovery. The skin may feel different as the wound heals. A follow-up appointment gives you a chance to discuss pain, bleeding, the appearance of the wound, bladder or bowel symptoms, and returning to sex or exercise.

Keep the area clean with gentle washing, pat it dry and change sanitary pads regularly. Take only pain relief recommended for you. Drink fluids, include fibre in meals and use any prescribed stool-softening medicine so bowel movements do not place extra pressure on the repair. Rest when soreness increases and increase movement in small steps.

Do not apply creams, oils or antiseptics unless your clinician recommends them. Avoid tampons and vaginal intercourse until bleeding has stopped and the wound has healed sufficiently for your clinician’s advice. Perineal Repair can provide more detail about repair care.

Seek prompt medical advice if pain is worsening rather than easing, the wound opens, swelling increases, discharge smells unpleasant, or you develop fever or feel unwell. Get urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe pain, faintness, inability to pass urine, or new loss of bowel control.

Ask what tissues were cut, how long healing is expected to take, which pain medicines are suitable while feeding your baby, how to manage bowel movements, and what symptoms should trigger an earlier examination.