Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Childbirth

Anybody had stitches not heal correctly and needed to have them re done?

11 replies

CazandKy · 12/05/2009 22:36

Hi, bit nervous as I had an internal examination today. It's been 9 weeks since I gave birth to my gorgeous Son and I'm still experiencing soreness down below after two 2nd degree tears. The nurse said that I hadn't healed correctly and I had like an overflap of skin. To correct this I need to have a local anathetic and have the stitches opened and re done. I didn't really think about it until after I left but surely what has healed together after 9 weeks is now going to need to be re cut again??
Anybody know what I'm talking about or had this done themselves as I'm a bit worried about this procedure!!
Any support would be appreciated
Thanks

OP posts:

Report

FrannyandZooey · 12/05/2009 22:42

yes i had similar as my stitches fell out and the episiotomy was left kind of open
the procedure was redone again in hospital
would you like to know anything in particular?
basically it wasn't the most fun i ever had in my life but quite manageable, and was MUCH better once it was done properly, and everything healed up nicely

are you sure they said a local? this would surprise me, but perhaps it is just a minor procedure in your case?

it is much better to get it sorted out NOW anyway, and then get on with the rest of your life
i know it is hard to think about when you are just adjusting to a new baby anyway

congratulations on your lovely son!

Report

Tamlin · 12/05/2009 23:20

Same as Franny - wasn't terribly fun for the next few days (especially as my child was actually on the move so it was a bit more challenging than caring for a newborn) but God, so worth it. It's good they spotted it so early with you - I had six months of the doc saying cheerily 'Oooh, you just need to get back in the saddle' before he had a really good look at my botched episiotomy and said 'Ah, yes, that doesn't look quite right...' and referred me.

Report

swissmiss · 12/05/2009 23:46

Not quite same as Franny and Tamlin. I had 2nd deg tear and stiches fell out after just a few days. I didn't get any treatment, had a community m/w who said "oh no, we don't re-stich, you'll heal" Ok, I did eventually after 3+ months of continually retearing when I bent over/knelt down to do a nappy change but then had problems with excess scar tissue. Her best comment had to be "well if you'd had the baby in africa you'd have just squatted under a bush and never had any stitches" ! WTF!
I subsequently found out if I'd gone to the other local hospital I'd have been re-stiched with out doubt. I wasn't but if you can have it sorted out now I'd personally go with it, even if its not the most pleasant experience.
Good Luck and Congratulations on your Son.

Report

cory · 13/05/2009 11:09

I didn't do it when my GP told me I had to, because I had too much on my plate already (sick baby). It was painful for about a year, but then got better. But obviously would have been better to have had it done. Still feel a twinge from time to time- and dd is 12. Go for it!

Report

insywinsyspider · 13/05/2009 23:09

I'm hopefully getting mine sorted after dc3, for me the 'internal' part is ok but the lips of my vulva didn't heal together and kind of hang open, so functionally its all fine but I get dry and sore, I've been told I'll have a 'fentons' procedure under local, I guess they will need to 'recut' it to get it to heal together again but I think it'll be worth it to get rid of discomfort - mine is mild tho, I'd advise getting it sorted sooner rather than later, congrats on ds and good luck x

Report

JulesJules · 13/05/2009 23:32

Yes, I had the 'women in Africa' bit from my GP too - felt like saying 'but what about their mortality rate you daft bint'. I was allergic to the stitches and they all fell out, then got infected, then over granulation of the scar tissue, and had two surgical repairs. One with an epidural and one with local anaesthetic. I do not recommend the local anaesthetic. Sorry. It was excruciatingly painful. Also had physio, ultrasound treatment, and some of the scar tissue burnt off with silver nitrate.

Best of luck. It's not great at the time, but it is better to get it sorted out, and then you can get on with enjoying your lovely baby, and being able to sit down without sobbing!

Report

cory · 14/05/2009 08:41

has noone pointed out to these clueless GPs that many of these African women have had their genitalia mutilated in the first place because they are not supposed to enjoy sex?

Report

CazandKy · 18/05/2009 17:52

Thanks so much to you all for sharing your experiences with me. Seen the gp today as the nurse who originally examined me wanted to also refere me to the gp to get her to examine me also. Gp has said she is going to refere me to a gynacologist and will need to be re-cut open. I'm feeling really anxious aout this. I did ask the gp if it would be done under a local and she said yes. I guess when I see the gynocolagist then I can only ask if they will put me to sleep which I think I'd rather. Not sure if they will though.
As to Frannys question as to is it minor, might sound daft but I really don't know! This is my first baby so it's all a new experience to me and I have nothing to compare it to. Doc said today that I've torn in a zig zag line and said that it's a kind of mangled mess (sounds like a horrible thing to say but she is really nice and didn't say it in a nasty way!) I guess I should find out more when I've had the appointment with the gyno.
As to the comments made to swissmiss and julesjules about the women in Africa... of my god that's awful. Talk about not giving you the support when you need it. I guess that I am lucky that the nurse and gp I've seen has taken notice and not fobbed me off
Anyway thanks again to all for taking the time to reply to me and I'll let you know how it goes....

OP posts:

Report

GwenB · 20/07/2009 21:26

Hi. I'm due to have a Fentons in September when my daughter will be 16 months.

I'm back at work part-time - does anyone know how long you are advised to stay off work after the procedure? The doctor I saw said it's likely to be 2 weeks which was longer than I expected - any views?

Report

Global5 · 20/07/2018 09:09

Hello everyone,I had a normal delivery 10 months back,I was catheterise the next day for 18 days as I was unable to pass urine,afterwards I got fissures taken medication for 2weeks but can’t face the pain of fissures had to go through the surgery then was hoping I will get better with time but my condition is getting worse,I feel uncomfortable while sitting and pain in rectum area but mostly near the episiotomy site, I have consulted many gynaecologist and surgeons but everyone is saying everything is ok , don’t know what’s happening?can anyone please help