You had an episiotomy or a tissue tear during your baby's birth. An episiotomy is a cut (incision) made to make the opening of the vagina larger. A tear happens on its own. The doctor used stitches to repair the skin in or near your vagina. The stitches will dissolve on their own in a few weeks. They don't need to be removed by your doctor.

Lower the risk of infection by keeping your stitches clean. To do this:

• Gently wipe from front to back after you have a bowel movement.
• After wiping, spray warm water on the stitches. Pat dry.
• After urinating, it's okay not to wipe. Just spray with warm water and then pat dry.
• Don't use soap or any fluid except water unless your doctor advises it.
• Change your sanitary pads at least every 2 to 4 hours.

Follow these suggestions:

• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and bran cereals.
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day, unless told otherwise.
• Don't strain to have a bowel movement.
• Ask your doctor if you should use a stool softener.
• If you are breastfeeding, ask your doctor before you take any medicine.

Try to make yourself more comfortable by:

• Sitting in a warm, shallow water bath (sitz bath).
• Placing cold packs or heat packs on your stitches. Keep a thin towel between the pack and your skin.
• Sitting on a firm seat so that the stitches pull less.
• Using medicated spray as ordered by your doctor.
• Talking with your doctor about using an anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen to ease the pain.

Make a follow-up appointment as directed.

Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these:

• Blood clots the size of a quarter or larger that keep coming from your vagina
• Heavy or gushing bleeding from your vagina
• Smelly fluid from your vagina
• Severe pain in the stomach or worse pain near your stitches
• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as directed by your doctor
• Shaking chills
• No bowel movement within 1 week after the birth of your baby
• Trouble urinating
• Pain or urgency when you urinate
• Stitches that come out or pieces of stitches passing from your vagina