Instructions for taking care of the incision / perineal stitches for pregnant women at home

Professional consultation article by Doctor Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.

After giving birth, improper care of the cesarean or perineal stitches can leave keloids, making women lose confidence, or even risk infection, a very painful and dangerous infection. .

Cesarean section (cesarean section, caesarean section, Cesarean section) is a surgery to remove the fetus, placenta, amniotic membrane by a transverse incision on the knee joint. An episiotomy is a cut in the perineum, which is the area between your vagina and anus. It is done to help a woman push the baby out easily during childbirth.

All surgical incisions are at risk of infection if not cared for and cleaned well. After 72 hours and the days when the mother goes home, the risk is even higher if you do not know how to wash properly. The perineum is a moist and enclosed area that is prone to infection. But by taking a few simple steps, you can reduce your risk of infection, improve healing time, and reduce discomfort and pain.

Incision, perineal stitches, pain increases gradually. Wound pain is much worse on days 1 and 2 after surgery/postpartum and then gradually decreases. So when there are signs of pain, swelling increase about 3-4 days after birth, it means that the wound is likely to be infected.
Incisions, perineal stitches have signs of redness, swelling, and edema. If the wound has swelling and edema persists after 4-6 days, it is a sign that the wound is not healing well.
There is discharge from the incision or foul discharge. Normally during the healing process, this fluid appears less, but with signs of infection, this fluid is secreted a lot and has a bad smell. Normal postpartum discharge, if it has a bad smell, is a sign of a postpartum infection that needs to be examined immediately.
High fever with fatigue When the wound has the above signs with a high fever of 38.5-40 degrees Celsius, it is a prominent symptom and early appearance of infection to hospitalize.

Preparation: Clean gloves. Sterile gauze. PVP Iodine wound cleaning solution 10%.

How to do: The patient bathes with clean water daily, pay attention not to directly apply soap or shower gel on the incision. Patients should wash their hands with soap and water.

Open the gauze pack, pour 10% PVP Iodine solution into the gauze pack so that the mouth of the solution bottle does not touch the gauze.

Wear clean gloves.

Hold one side of the gauze so that you do not touch the side that is in contact with the incision.

Wipe the top of the incision. Wipe the center of the incision. Wipe under the incision.

Wait for the solution to dry for about 3-5 minutes before wearing underwear. Apply scar healing cream as prescribed by the doctor (if any).

Prepare Betadin Vaginal 10% Sanitizing Solution 125ml. Clean warm water. Preparation Mix 1-2 caps of antiseptic solution with about 200 ml of clean warm water for about 2 weeks. Wash the entire genital area and perineum from top to bottom, front to back until clean. Blot dry, freeze new sanitary ware.