The short explanation
Pain from a tear or an episiotomy is common in the first one to two weeks, and sitting can be uncomfortable for a while. Most stitches dissolve on their own and the area slowly becomes less sore. But pain that is getting worse after the first week, rather than slowly better, is worth a check. Increasing pain can come from swelling, a collection of blood under the skin, stitches that are too tight, or an infection. Signs of infection include redness, a bad smell, pus, the wound opening, or fever.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Simple things often help: sitting on a soft cushion, changing pads often, rinsing with clean water after using the toilet and patting dry, and avoiding constipation. A clinician may suggest pain relief that is suitable while breastfeeding.
- Many women in India are told to just bear the pain. You do not have to. Asking for the area to be looked at is a normal request, and you can ask for a woman doctor or nurse.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether the wound is healing well or infected. Only an examination of the stitches can show that.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Can you check whether my stitches are healing properly?
- Is there any sign of infection or a blood collection?
- What pain relief is suitable while I am breastfeeding?
- When should sitting become comfortable?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have a high fever with shivering, feel confused, very drowsy or breathless, or feel extremely unwell.
Get help the same day
- Get seen the same day if the area is red, swollen, smells bad, has pus, or the wound seems to have opened.
Book an appointment soon
- See your doctor or midwife within a few days if the pain is not slowly improving.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Ask about healing and any pain with sex or passing stool at your postnatal check.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Postpartum care MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Pelvic floor disorders MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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