Infected episiotomy treatment: what to know

An episiotomy wound can become infected during recovery after birth. Increasing rather than easing pain, spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus-like discharge, an unpleasant smell, or wound edges opening can be warning signs. Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell may accompany the wound changes. Normal healing discomfort should gradually settle, so a clear change in symptoms deserves contact with your maternity or medical team.

A clinician may inspect the wound, ask about bleeding and bowel or bladder symptoms, and decide whether a swab or other assessment is needed. Treatment can involve prescribed antibiotics, pain relief, and instructions for keeping the area clean and dry. Rinse with water, pat dry, change pads regularly, wash your hands before and after care, and avoid inserting products into the vagina unless advised. Do not stop prescribed medicine early without speaking with the prescriber.

Contact your maternity unit or clinician promptly for worsening pain, pus, foul-smelling discharge, increasing redness, fever, or a wound that is opening. Seek urgent help if you feel faint, confused, severely unwell, have heavy bleeding, or cannot pass urine. These symptoms need assessment rather than home treatment alone.

Ask what they see at the wound, whether it needs a swab or antibiotics, how to manage pain while feeding, and how to sit, wash, and use the toilet comfortably. Ask when the wound should be reviewed and which changes mean you should return sooner.