Letting a tear heal naturally - tips?

[BaMo]

I had my first home/water birth on Saturday moring (). My mw said that I had a small tear, would possibly need only 2-3 stiches but rec'd letting it heal naturally.

So, I've been staying in bed (as much as possible) and keeping my legs closed per her instructions. But is there anything else that I should be doing?

I'm in a lot of pain and won't be able to stay in bed much longer as DH goes back to work in a few days.

[3xMama]

First off, CONGRATS!!

My mw made these fabulous pads for me. She drenched several of the long pads I had for pp bleeding with witch hazel and froze them. Oh my goodness they were wonderful! She also made up an herbal bath to use in a peri bottle after using the bathroom. She boiled it in a cloth bag in about two quarts of water and I could use it like that in the peri bottle or add a cupful to a bath. Great for mama and baby to soak in! I liked the post-urination rinse at about room temp, cooling but not cold. I don't know what exactly was in hers, but your mw might sell something similiar. Here are a few websites with bath recipes if you'd prefer to make your own.

http://www.moondragon.org/obgyn/preg...rebathing.html

http://frugalgranola.com/2009/07/pre...l-bath-recipe/

Again, congrats!

[camprunner]

I walked around like a stick figure for 6 weeks. It was actually an instinct. I refused to allow the back up midwife to finish stitching after the litacain wore off (it took her an hour and a half to get half way done) and I didn't want a needle down there any more! So when I got up the next morning, I automatically felt wierd separating my lets. I even went up and down stairs this way. I also refused to bend over at an angle less that 90 degrees. If I couldn't reach something on the floor with my chest parallel to the ground, it didn't get picked up.

[Lauren82]

I 2nd the witch hazel pads. Those are very soothing. Also, herbal sitz baths are good too.

Congrats on your new baby!

[AZgirl2207]

congrats on new baby! I have honey and seaweed (think the sheets that you use for sushi) on hand in case I tear during birth. I think you just lay the seaweed on the tear and it acts as a binder and encourages blood flow to the area (?) I'm sure there is someone on here who's used it and can provide better advice.

[serendipity17]

Congratulations on your new baby!

I had a small tear after my my last baby, and my midwife made up a concoction for me that she called "burn paste".

It's 1 part raw honey, 1 part wheat germ oil, and enough powdered comfrey leaves to make a paste. (she said it could be kept in the refrigerator for up to 6 months)

I'd apply it by smearing some on a fresh pad every time I went to the bathroom for the first week or so after the birth. It was fairly messy (looked kind of like meconium), but I healed quickly and had very little pain compared to the recovery from my first two births. I was sold!

[BaMo]

Thanks for all of the tips. I've been using comfrey & witch hazel and staying in bed (legs closed). But I'm still in a lot of pain ~ it burns like hell to pee. My midwife orginally said that I would be all healed up in a week. Well that sure didn't happen.

I'm a little upset/confused because after talking to her yesterday she said that she should have sewn me up if I'm still in pain. Well, we can't turn back the clock now. I'm just very frustated. DH goes back to work on Thursday and not sure how I'll be able to stay in bed with a very active 2 year old.

serendipity17 ~ I haven't heard of that mixture, but maybe I need to go that route.