Signs of infection at the episiotomy site may include:

Signs of infection at the episiotomy site are crucial to identify for proper postpartum care. Redness and swelling are classic indicators of infection as they signal inflammatory processes occurring in response to an infective organism. When an infection is present, the body responds by increasing blood flow to the area, which can manifest as erythema (redness) and edema (swelling). These signs, coupled with additional symptoms such as warmth, pain, or purulent discharge, would typically warrant further evaluation and possibly intervention to prevent complications.

Clear drainage, while it can occur in healing wounds, typically suggests that there is no infection; instead, it indicates the presence of normal serous fluid as part of the healing process. Firm sutures may indicate that the sutures are intact, but do not provide any information on whether there is an infection. No tenderness also would not be a sign of infection, as tenderness is often present in infected tissue due to inflammation and irritation. Recognizing the signs like redness and swelling is essential for postpartum monitoring.