Stiches

[Southwestwhippet]

Ok, possibly don't read this if you are about to give birth for the first time

I was lucky enough not to need stitches after birth of DD. I had a lot of grazes and bruising and a first degree tear but that was it. Several of my friends DID have stiches and I was appalled to find out that they were stitched up post-birth with no more pain relief than gas and air. . Both of them said it was worse than the actual crowning. Now personally I cannot think of anything in the entire world that is more painful that crowning - it was utterly dreadful - and this is bearing in mind that I didn't tear so god knows how awful it must have been for my friends. And the stitching is worse???

So is it really normal practice to stitch people up post-birth with just gas and air? Can you insist on some sort of local anesthetic? It seems barbaric to me, surely they don't stitch people up in casulty with just gas and air? [shudder] And what about if you have a home birth and have run out of G&A - do they just stitch you up with nothing?

The possibility of this is actually putting me off the idea of having another baby.

Just demand a local anaesthetic.

Sometimes I think that medical people view a vulva as inconsequential in the whole birthing-thing (you're already in pain, so what's a little more!). When I had DD2 the doctor wanted to give me a large episiotomy and use forceps with no drugs. That was the moment when I realised what the stirrups are for: to stop you kicking the doctor in the face. Anyway I yelled something about not consenting unless I had drugs, so she didn't do it.

I did have anaesthetic, but tbh I could still feel it, it was worse than the birth and i had the gas taken off me as i was sky high and about to pass out through the pain, if I had no pain relief at all I think I would have passed out, mine was 2nd degree tearing, with a drug free labour and the stitching took an hour A-side a half, my dh was horrified by my screaming!

I already had a local anaesthetic for the episiotomy so I didn't feel anything when I was being stitched. I thought they always gave local anaesthetic before stitching, thats really shocking and barbaric that they don't always numb it first

I had a second degree tear with dd3 (13 days old!) and had a couple of stiches with just G&A. If I'm honest, I was on such a high from the very quick birth that I didn't really find it that uncomfortable. Although, a week later I found the stiches bloody uncomfortable .

I had a small stitch with a minor tear and really have no recollection at all of it happening (although they did ask me). I certainly don't recall any pain. Maybe they put in a little bit of local anasthetic or something? I didn't use gas and air for it. I was cuddling a 10 minute old DD at the time so was pretty distracted.

So just to reassure you it needn't be a traumatic experience!

I had local anaesthetic and gas and air - don't think I needed the gas and air TBH. NOt sure why I used it. I could feel what was happening during stitching, but without the pain. It was pretty wierd, so maybe the gas and air helped me not be freaked out by it? I am shocked that some places do not offer anaesthetic. Can you ask the MWs what is standard practice at the hospital? No anaethesia sounds like a good enough reason to switch hospitals to me. If I were you, I would write it in your birth plan that a local should be given. As slightly says, if you state that you only consent to stitching with anaesthesia, if they wish to stitch without, then maybe DH can point out that if they do, they do so without your permission and they will be committing assault.

hi im new to this site not quite sure how to start a discussion so ill just write here ive joined this site because after giving birth to my daughter i had a second degree tear and needed stitches although im not sure how many as i was so distraught at having them the midwife told me it was just the one to keep me calm(blush)lol ... but ive noticed at the bottom where my stitches was its a bit noticeable im not quite sore how to explain it its like a lump like they have stitched it and missed a bit and carried on stitching?? ... its really annoying and im not sure what to do i find its embaressing going to the gp lol how would i bring this up ? my daughters one now ?

Hi Levi09 and welcome to mumsnet! To start a new thread, go to a topic (eg childbirth) and at the top of the list of threads you should see "start a new thread". Just click that and you're away.

Sorry to hear about your stitches - is it in any way painful? I'm sure a GP wouldn't be at all embarrassed to talk to you about it (even if you were). Do you have a smear coming up at which you might be able to raise the issue?

I had 2nd degree tear with DS1 and found the stitching (with local anaesthetic and gas and air) the worst bit of the whole birth (by far).

DS2 arrived on sunday and similar tear again (possibly over the old scar) was stitched with local anaesthetic and I couldn't feel a thing (used the gas and air for the local injection but didn't need it after that).
It made me realise that I don't think the local anaesthetic had any effect last time as I felt every stitch.

I'm sure you can insist on a local anaesthetic SWW and if you can still feel pain ask for a top up or review.
Just because you've just experienced some pain at the birth doesn't mean you should be expected to put up with some more IMHO.

I remember my mum telling me she had an episiotomy and forceps with no local anaesthetic but she said that baby (my bro) was in distress so it had to be done quickly, and she was in pain anyway so it didn't make that much difference and she just wanted him out safely! I thought that sounded barbaric enough, but surely when they are stitching you up post birth there is no "emergency" as such so they should have time administer some local anaesthetic? I didn't follow your advice - I am about to have my first and still read on - but I don't think I'll be letting anyone cut me/stitch me up without some local anaesthetic!

Levi09 - mention it to your GP and they should refer you to a gynacologist who will take a proper look and help if nec. You can also tell your Health Visitor?

i had a local for episiotomy, they then topped that up for stitching me up and i had gas and air and i still felt it. Certainly for me it was the worst part of the whole labour.

hasn't put me off though as i'm ttc again....

levi09 sorry to hear whats happenned to you.

Is the area causing you any discomfort or pain? Cos sometimes our bits heal in a randomway theyll never be like before but if youre not in pain the dr may say to leave it. But best to get it checked to be sure theres no other issues with it having healed the way it has, and definitely get it checked if its causing you pain.

Please done worry about going to the gp, thats what theyre there for and they hear so many stories of what goes on in our bodies they wont bat an eyelid at yours (but hopefully theyll take it seriously i just mean they wont be embarassed so dont worry). You could ask for a female gp if you prefer. Honestly dont worry about it and its probably the best thing to get help.

Sorry for not replying for ages and being the irritating OP who posts then vanishes... I was at my parents' last night so didn't have my computer.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, I will definitely be putting it in my birth plan if and when I concieve that I want a local if I have stitches. That said, I had a very slow crowning which the MW said was why I didn't need stitches. Hopefully no2 will be similar, I know my mum also had very slow labours/births for all five of hers.

The bit after where they checked me over was the most painful part of the birthing process and I'd had a pretty horrendous time! - I remember at one point saying in quite a panic "I've just had a baby please don't do that"!!! i can't remember if I had anaethetic or not but it was agony!

Def say you want an anaethetic!