What is perineal care?

After the birth of their child, many women are worried about their perineal area while recovering. Childbirth is a very traumatic event for a female body, which often leads to a reduction in the strength of pelvic floor muscles, torn or cut perineum and even hemorrhoids. Another problem in the perineal area after delivery is Lochia or bloody release, which a woman can experience up to six weeks after the birth of her child. Proper perineal care can increase these problems and help encourage recovery.

Initial perineal care, after the stitches have been inserted and the new mother was cleaned, focuses on the treatment of pain and swelling associated with the birth of a child. Nurses will apply cooling packages to the area and offer pain relief if necessary. After the swelling drops, heat will be applied to the area to stimulate healing. Sitz Baths, using special bathtubs that fit on the toilet bowl, allow the woman to easily and comfortably soak in the warmth.

Many hospitals also provide women with pain relief to women that can be applied to painful areas as well as foams that can prevent itching and swelling if a woman has an epiotomy. Hemorrhoids can also cause discomfort after delivery. The best way to treat them is the use of hazelnut or medicated pads to alleviate the grades and itching. Also help drink a lot of fluids, eat a lot of food rich in fibers or even take a stool softener.

One of the most important steps to perineal care is to maintain a clean area. Sanitary inserts must be changed regularly. After using the bathroom, rinse the perineal area with water and then dry, move from the front backwards to avoid the spread of bacteria from the rectum to the vagina and the perineal area. The woman should remember to wash her hands well before and after using the toilet or change her sanitary pad.

stitches embedded in perineum tears or episitesMie should dissolve within three weeks. New mothers should continue with careful perineal care until they have the first control after birth with their doctor. The perineum should not be used with lotions, sprays and powders, and the use of a swab or douche should not be avoided until they are approved by a female doctor.

Proper perineal care is necessary for healing. It is important that the woman understands how to properly care for her perineum after giving birth before abandoning the hospital. Most hospitals will provide all the information and tools that a woman needs, but if a woman has further questions, she should ask her doctors or nurses.