Infected stitches

[Laurenem]

Hi all,

I had my baby 10 days ago and required stitches as I had a 2nd degree tear on one side and and episiotomy on the other. I had my 10day check with the midwife today and she had a look at my stitches and said that a couple have come undone and it looks like a mild infection and to go to the gp for antibiotics. I was just wondering who else had a similar sort of thing and how long it took to heal and not to hurt any more?
Also if anyone experienced severe pain in their backside when going for a poo?
Thanks

[RhubarbCrumble1]

Yes I had a second degree tear & on day 8 was agony. I cried every time I had a poo. It Looked hideous, stitches falling out and I was convinced it was infected and I would never have sex again. Went to gp, cried (felt daft as I'm a midwife there!) she took a swab, was doubtful it was infected just sloughy from healing, gave me antibiotics to take of swab was positive (which it wasn't) It's healed lovely and I have no problems now.
Hope you recover soon xxx

[SparklyPenguin]

Hi OP, congratulations on your baby. I had similar: episiotomy on one side, 2nd deg tear on other, forceps delivery and 1.6ltr blood loss. Discovered at 12 days pp that the stitches on the epi side had completely broken. No infection but had to take antibiotics for 2 weeks as a preventative measure. Took max ibuprofen and paracetamol for a week or so then cut down. Was still under post-natal care at hospital so went back in a couple of times but their policy was no restitch as it'd heal slowly in its own time. Very unsightly and upsetting, but the pain had completely gone about a fortnight later, and the healing began. Remained under consultant care and at 4months pp had a silver nitrate treatment (quick but sore) to sort out some of the scar tissue. Will be going back in April possibly for a repeat. Am 6months pp now and quite well healed, no residual problems. Push the hospital for a refashioning if you're unhappy further down the line- they left it as an option for me but I didn't fancy going under anaesthetic now that my problem's only cosmetic. Never had the backside pain- perhaps some lactulose would help? It's still early days so this should ease in time. Sorry for essay!

[A1Sharon]

Hi laurenem, do you know if you have any haemorrhoids? Any bleeding from your rectum when you do a poo?
You could make an appointment with Treatment Room Nurse or GP to check for these if you're not sure.
Are you able to do a poo? Are you taking laxatives?
Loads of questions, sorry!
I found Proctosedyl suppositories and ointment together worked fab for post baby haemorrhoid pain-the agony!
Congratulations on your baby.

[Laurenem]

I'm not having trouble going to the toilet, quite the opposite actually! Going to the GP today, hopefully they'll be able to shed some light.

[whatsoever]

I have infected stitches from my episiotomy - walking, moving, anything hurt so much I'd have tears in my eyes. The antibiotics were a godsend. I felt human again before the course was even complete.

Separately, I also had an anal fissure so bowel movements were agony too. Doesn't sound like that's the same as your issue but in case it is, that was solved fairly quickly (although admittedly with longish term medication) as well.