Episiotomy stitches question

[PuppyMummy]

Hi. hope this is the best place to post this...

I gave birth 10 days ago (dc1) and had stitches for an episiotomy. I have managed to poo ok with them and they seemed to be healing ok but slowly. I got my midwife to check them on friday and she said the stitches had dissolved but one area had not quite come together.

She said they dont re stitch and it looked to be healing ok so just keep it clean.

Yesterday night they were bleeding again and sore so must have opened a bit. ok again this morning.

How long should they take to heal and is it worth me going to gp because they haven't healed yet? not being able to walk far (incase I pull the stitches) is starting to get to me as it means I cant get out with the baby.

[ch1134]

Ah they're awful! Mine hurt for weeks. You must keep insisting on being examined. I'm 5 months on now and just been told healing is unlikely to be complete for at least another 9 months... it takes time (for some of us)!

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

10 days is very early days. It isn't worth going to the GP because they haven't healed yet, but obviously you should go if you are worried, if you think they are coming apart more, if you think that they are infected, etc. I was kept under the MW's for nearly three weeks to keep an eye on my stitches with DD1, and they were still healing after that. It really isn't a quick process I'm afraid.

You should be able to walk further soon though.

[PuppyMummy]

thanks for the replies.

I have a midwife apt again this Friday so I will ask her to check them.

I was hoping for quick healing, obviously wishful thinking! how depressing!

[PenguinsHatchedAnEgg]

Oh you may well have a quick healing. I think you need to be realistic about what a quick healing is though. An episiotomy means that the muscle as well as the skin has been cut. Think of a footballer with a torn calf muscle - muscle takes longer than skin to heal.

I had a very straightforward birth this time (stitches with no. 1 and 2 though). I had what is referred to as a 'graze'. It still took a couple of weeks to heal.

[Torfhinn]

I was in exactly the same boat as you (my son is now 8 weeks old). I had a forceps delivery and episiotomy. The episiotomy also tore a bit but not into anything critical. By about 7 days post birth I realised the wound was still bleeding and the midwife confirmed that the episiotomy had broken down and would now heal in the slower way (think filling up a bucket with sand as opposed to zipping up a zip). The advice I had was to see my GP for 'just in case' antibiotics and to be referred to gynae once healing was complete. You are right, they don't re-stitch straight away as it wouldn't work. However, once the wound has healed they can fix anything that needs fixing.

Anyway, my wound healed by about 6 weeks. Yes. it has been uncomfortable and as it has healed it has been a bit itchy. I have scar tissue along the wound that can be a bit sore, but it is getting better. I carried on walking and getting out and about all the time and I don't think this has affected healing. I'm seeing an obstetrician at about 3 months for a check.

My advice is to see your GP for antibiotics and a referral and to carry on as normal. Good luck!

[beckiebee04]

I had my baby 3 weeks ago n they're just healed now... Try to wear a pad all the time and keep them dry.. I found having a bath helped loads aswell

[PuppyMummy]

I got the midwife to hav another look last week. She said they were nearly healed and drew me a diagram of the bit thats not quite done! its only a tiny bit.

she said it often feels a lot worse than it is. also said the bleeding most likely wasn't from the stitches but just general lochia.

they hav started to feel a lot better the last few days and the midwife was really reassuring.

ill get the dr to check them in a few weeks at my post natal check.