Something else? Ask Aunt Vadge – bottom left of your screen!
Dear Aunt Vadge,
I had my first baby six days ago. I have what I think is a cut, right along the crease where my labia majora and minora meet. I’m not sure exactly where it is or how bad, because it hurts too much to look. What can I do to soothe the pain, especially when I wee? I always use my peri bottle, and I’ve tried witch-hazel pads and an anaesthetic spray, but nothing helps. It’s so painful it nearly brings me to tears every time I urinate. Any advice is welcome, thanks.
Sincerely,
Hurting
Dear Hurting,
First, congratulations on your baby – and I’m sorry you’re so sore. Let’s get you some relief, and let’s also get the right person to look at this, because a postpartum labial tear this painful at six days, when the peri bottle, witch hazel and a numbing spray aren’t touching it, is worth flagging rather than just gritting your teeth through.
Please ring your midwife, birth centre or doctor and tell them exactly what you told me. You’re still in the window where they’re expecting to care for you, and a tear that’s this painful, or that you can’t see, needs someone to actually look at it. Pain that’s getting worse rather than easing, or that over-the-counter measures don’t dent, can be a sign the area is infected or that a stitch has come adrift – both common, both very treatable, but both needing a clinician’s eye and possibly proper pain relief or antibiotics. You shouldn’t have to white-knuckle this.
Go in straight away, or to an emergency department, if you develop a fever, the area is hot, swollen, throbbing or smells off, the pain suddenly spikes, or you feel generally unwell. Those point to infection that needs treating promptly.
While you’re arranging that, a few gentle things really help the stinging. Keep using your peri bottle, but pour the warm water over yourself as you wee, not just after – diluting the urine as it passes is what takes the burn out, and it makes a real difference. Afterwards, pat dry softly or let yourself air-dry rather than wiping. A thin smear of plain Vaseline over the sore skin (not into any open wound) makes a barrier so urine doesn’t reach the raw bits. And clean the area with plain warm water only – skip soap, antiseptics and essential oils like tea tree, which sting and slow healing on skin this delicate.
A few more comfort tricks lots of new mums swear by: a cold pack or a chilled maternity pad against the area, peeing in the shower or while pouring water, loose cotton knickers, and lying down to take the pressure off when you can. Our guides on your vagina and vulva postpartum and caring for a tear have more, and there’s a gentle overview of what birth does to the area if you’d like to know what’s normal as you heal.
You’re doing brilliantly, on no sleep and with a six-day-old to boot. Get someone to look at it, lean on the comfort measures, and be very kind to yourself.
Warmest regards,
Aunt Vadge
This is general information, not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you have signs of infection or severe pain, contact your midwife or doctor promptly.
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