Forceps or ventouse (suction cup) birth: postnatal care

After any birth, including a forceps or ventouse (suction cup) delivery, you may feel bruised and sore. Your stitches and swelling may make it painful when you go to the toilet. 

We will offer you pain relief to take regularly during the first few days after the birth.

Looking after your stitches

If you experienced a perineal tear during your delivery, we will stitch the area to help you heal. Most stitches dissolve in a month, but some may take up to 3 months.

To help the healing process, follow this guidance.

• Always wash your hands before you attend to your stitches.
• You can bathe or shower every day, but do not soak the area. Gently pat the area dry.
• Change your sanitary pads regularly (every 4 to 6 hours).
• You can apply lotion around the wound site, but not directly onto the wound site itself.
• Wipe front to back when you use the toilet. This will avoid infection of your wound site.

Pelvic floor exercises

Urinary incontinence (leaking of urine) is common after childbirth, especially after a forceps or ventouse delivery.

Pelvic floor exercises can help you regain control of your bladder and aid healing.

• Start doing gentle pelvic floor exercises a few days after you give birth.
• Try to do them every day.

For guidance, use the links below.

Avoid constipation

To avoid constipation, do the following.

• Drink plenty of fluids (1.5 to 2 litres per day).
• Try to follow a diet that is high in fibre (see More information below).
• Use stool softeners if necessary.

When you open your bowels, do the following.

• Use some perineal support, for example by holding a clean sanitary pad to protect your stitches.
• Use a good sitting position (see image below).

More information

NHS on getting more fibre into your diet

Kingston Hospital on pelvic floor exercises and perineal health

Kingston Hospital on 3rd or 4th degree perineal tear: care and support