Salt Baths..

Just wondering if someone can refresh me on salt baths.. when are you allowed to have them if you have stitches and how long are you allowed to soak?

I had 2nd degree tearing with DD2 10 days ago and am still in quite a bit of pain.. however i think most of my pain is my hemorrhoids.. i think i actually tore them too.. *OUCHY!* So just wondering if a salt bath may help a bit..

TIA

Go for it whenever you like. The salt bath is great for helping to heal the stitches. I'm not sure about roids - I thought I got them after having P but turns out it was a fissure (which keeps recurring, the bastard), and salt baths were fabulous for that too. I can't think how it would be a bad thing for you.
I was never advised that there's too long to spend in a salt bath, but I guess be guided by what's comfortable for you.
GL, I hope it all heals up quickly for you and congratulations on your LO :)

OUch! Congrats on DD2!

I think you can soak as long as you like, as long as it's comfortable. My OB was against salt baths for some reason, but the nurses were all over it, and I trusted them more ;) It didn't do anything good or bad to the roids. As long as it's not too hot I shouldn't imagine it'll be bad for them, they might sting a bit if they're broken.

Keep the cold compress going on the roids too- did you get a cream for them? Mine were so bad I forgot about the stitches!!!

I was recently told 5 mins for salt baths and witchhazel for hamerhoids

Thanks ladies. only reason i thought theres a time limit, because, can the soaking dissolve the stitches? Do you know how long it takes for the stitches to dissolve anyways?

Thanks Roses, will give that witchhazel a go.

I'm in much the same position, so... How would I prepare a salt bath? Just normal salt + water, right? How much salt? Would I be able to take bub in with me?


Sent from my iPhone so forgive the speelung misstacks ;)

ive heard witchhazel on a pad is great as is taking annica (sp) capsules, i also love ice, i used the ones the hospital gave me or fill and freeze condoms and use in a pad

I had a pharmacist recommend salt baths for haemorrhoids the other day, and google confirmed. And same for thrush. Teni, wouldn't put bub in if you have thrush/infection obviously, but I can't see how it would hurt them otherwise - not too different from a swim at the beach really is it?

Salt baths are amazing for stitches!! My MW said there wasn't a time limit to baths and I had 2nd degree tearing so no prob with stitches disolving.

Arnica pills are really good for swelling and healing too, just get them from a health food shop.

xx

ShootingStar, salt baths were amazing after I had DD. I wasn't told there was a time limit, but I had one every night for the first few weeks. I also kept my pads in the freezer which provided a nice relief.

Teni, you can get Epsom salts from the supermarket.

Thanks so much ladies. I had been holding out thinking my stitches would dissolve! Just had a bath now and oh feel so good right now. We'll see how long that lasts ;)
Do you have to use Epsom salt or is normal salt ok? I just used normal.

if your stitches are pulling see your midwife as they may need cutting/removing, i add this and had one sorted out 1 week post birth, it was sweeeet relief!

I would say have at least 2 salt baths a day if you can - and then when you get out use the hairdryer (on cool setting!) to dry your stitches.
All the best with healing quickly! :)

I forgot to say a bath is waaay more practical than using cotton balls dipped in salty water!!!! Haha. I had to for the first week cause we had to go down to Co*** harbour and we were staying in a hotel!!! Lol.

My stitches felt like they were pulling around the 1.5week mark which was normal cause as they start to dissolve the skin will pull a little.

I have always just used regular salt. Also I've never accurately measured it either, just liberally shaken it in whilst the water ran.