Repair of Episiotomy (stitches)

If you have stitches, keep that area very clean. Complete healing takes about four weeks. The stitches do not have to be removed.

Every time you use the toilet:

• Clean your bottom and rinse with the squirt bottle that you got at the hospital. This helps your stitches heal faster. Follow this routine as long as you are sore.
• After a bowel movement, be sure to wipe yourself from front to back and rinse with the squirt bottle.
• Sitting in a tub of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes, three or four times a day helps reduce soreness.
• Check with you healthcare provider about going back to work.