[Submitted Question]

I had an episiotomy when the baby was born. Now I am home from the hospital and it really hurts when I try to sit. Any advise on making it more bearable?

[WombToBloom]

I found that sitting on a nursing pillow helped tremendously. As did ice packs – weird, I know, ice packs in your pants. We do what we’ve gotta do. Don’t try to be a tough guy and get through it without pain killers or at least some sort of over-the-counter pain relief.

My other tips are those that the mother/baby nurses gave me after my first son was born. Dermaplast – an anesthetic spray which numbs the episiotomy area. Use it after you go to the bathroom. Witch hazel pads lying across a sanitary napkin – these are actually intended for use in decreasing hemorrhoid swelling but it works for stitches too. And stool softener. ‘Nough said.