How many stitches is normal?

[PrincessScrumpy]

I thought I had quite a lot but as it was "only" a 2nd degree tear I thought I was probably just being pathetic as many women have worse. But someone I told about my 37 stitches was shocked so now I'm wondering how many others had?

I only know the number as doc told DH - not sure why, I was on the gas and air trying not to listen as they debated theatre!

[Lotster]

Hi there,

A second degree tears affect the muscle of the perineum as well as the skin, usually needing stitches.

A third-degree tear extends downwards from the vaginal wall and perineum to the anal sphincter.

I mention this because when you say "only" a second degree tear, it's not always a measurement of how bad the tear is, more where it is IYSWIM. And thinking many women have worse because of the classification you got isn't helpful to you.

I had a second degree with 30-something stitches because the tear went through my perineum but also up the vaginal passage. It had lots of layers of stitches and (not helped by an infection) resulted in two operations to rebuild my perineum.

My friend had a third degree tear but felt back to normal within a few weeks. She thought she came off better, didn't suffer incontinence problems etc.

I think it's more about how big/deep the tear is, how well you are stitched and how well you heal that all add up to how serious it is, not the wherabouts if that makes sense!

Hope you're doing ok.

[Nancynew]

Hope you feel okay. I am not sure how many stitches I had with my second degree tear, but I know it took 90+ minutes to sucher, a succession of different doctors exclaiming how difficult it was, and a midwife who was impressed by the extent of 'embroidery down there'. Unfortunately I have experienced quite a few problems in the healing process, but hope I am on the mend now, four months later. But other friends who have also had second degree tearing have had no longer term problems at all and healed well by their 6 week checks. I too thought I was being a bit pathetic. I was therefore really interested to read Lobster 's comments and what you say makes a lot of sense. Hope you both make swift recoveries.

[OneTwoBaubleMySanta]

I had 20 stitches with my 2nd degree tear but they took a long time to heal.

[PrincessScrumpy]

Thanks - I am actually fully recovered - as much as i will be - DD is 2.5. It took a year though. I'm thinking about a 2nd dc so I have been remembering things.

[Lotster]

My second child was C/S because of the ops I'd had, but some people on here have found that the second PG/birth actually stretched out their scar tissue rather than worsened it

[NarcolepsyQueen]

Another midwife came into the labour room when I was being stitched, and my YTS midwife asked her "does that look straight to you"

I know that I had more than 30. Am 20 weeks pregnant with my second, and think it cant be that bad twice can it?? (Stitched too tightly the first time, and needed laser treatment on the scar tissue)

[PrincessScrumpy]

I'm seriously considering CS for next one - not sure I want to test if mine will or will not stretch. It was a long year thinking that my sex life was over and I'm still in my 20s. Also I did everything the book say to avoid tearing - position, only gas and air etc - DD was simply too quick!

I was up for a home birth for my 1st but DH was worried so we went to hospital. Now I've gone for the other extreme

[tiokiko]

I asked how many I had and they didn't tell me - asked a couple of times and they just changed the subject. I wonder if women worry more the more stitches they have?

They did have a big debate about whether they would stich or leave to heal naturally as apparently it was quite a big tear but still a 'nice' one .

I think they got 3 different MWs and 2 consultants in before deciding they would stitch. Sounds v undignified now but at the time I couldn't care less and the stitches didn't hurt then or while healing so I was quite happy.

[mincepiewithbrandy]

Oops posted on the wrong thread!!

[Mummy2B1983]

Hi all,

I recently gave birth on 31/08 to a beautiful baby girl. I had an episiotomy and have lots of stitches. I unfortunately got an Infection and had to take antibiotics. It felt like it was getting a bit better but now feels achey again. I'm so worried about getting another infection I'm checking my stitches constantly. It's now made me a bit paranoid of any little twinge! Has anyone had this?