Complete episiotomy healing usually occurs within 1 month after delivery, but stitches, which are normally absorbed by the body or fall off naturally, may go out earlier, especially if the woman does the Kegel exercises, which help in healing.
What can be done to speed up the healing of episiotomy includes:
- Doing Kegel exercises every day until stitches are absorbed or dropped, as they increase blood flow in the episiotomy region, facilitating and accelerating healing;
- Wear cotton or disposable panties, for the skin around the episiotomy to breathe and facilitate healing;
- Eating healing foods such as boiled eggs or broccoli, strawberries, oranges, sardines, salmon, liver, soybeans, Brazil nuts, or beets, see the vide more examples:
The application of Povidine as well as healing ointments such as Bepantol, Nebacetin, Avène's Cicalfate or Mederma Healing Gel is not always necessary and should therefore only be used if the obstetrician indicates.
How to Do Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises consist of contracting the pelvic muscles. To identify the pelvic muscles, just imitate trying to stop the jet of pee.
After identifying the pelvic muscles, you should perform 10 contractions in a row, relaxing for a few seconds and then resume the exercise by doing 10 sets of 10 contractions every day until the stitches fall or become absorbed.
To know what other care you must have with the episiotomy read: How to take care of episiotomy after giving birth.
