From party frocks to invites and Christmas cocktails, we've got everything you need to throw a fabulous party
Episiotomy infection
I am two weeks post-partum and my episiotomy is infected. My doctor says that it's rare, but it does happen. I have been extremely careful with cleaning and pads and so on. Could my daughter's bowel movement before the birth have caused the infection?
Thanks
It is doubtful that anything you or your baby did could have caused the infection. This is one of the complications of cutting episiotomies and why they should never be considered routine. The hospital presents all sorts of opportunities for infection — it is a far from sterile environment and despite all the measures taken to prevent infection it is common enough.
Birth is a ‘clean’ event, not a sterile one, and bacteria can invade the site of a wound despite the best precautions and hygiene. Meconium, the baby's first bowel movement, is sterile but all the blood and debris make an ideal medium for bacterial growth.
Don't blame yourself. Get lots of rest and fluids. Episiotomy infections usually heal quickly and well, but keep the doctor notified of any discharge, odour, fever or redness.
Peg
Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Horoscopes| Message Boards | Quizzes | Newsletters | Join
iVillage Ltd is a UK company registered in England & Wales (3837269) at 80-110 New Oxford Street, London WC1 1HB
