Infected episiotomy, stitches opened-moral support needed

[johnnycomelurky]

I had my beautiful little boy on Saturday with the help of ventouse and an episiotomy. Well as thread title suggests I woke this morning to find my stitches had opened. Been seen by midwife and GP and now on antibiotics and have been told they don't restitch but leave it to heal up on on its own. I would just like to hear from some others who've been here and have healed because right now I'm finding it really upsetting to have such large wound in so delicate a place. Also any tips on helping healing along would be great. I just want to get this into perspective because right now it seems huge.

Hi in about how many weeks it healed naturally.
My stitches opened on post op day 6 and now I started warm shower on the gap and perineum. I am worried about healing as bub needs me alot and this unwanted complication at the delicate area needs a a lot care.
Can you please share what else you did???

Hi OP

I had exactly the same. I was so upset.

What I did:
Went back to hospital and got seen by a lovely doctor. He removed all the loose stitch material and gave me anti biotics.
I showered it gently after a poo, other than that I had a SHORT bath with some tea tree and lavender every night.
I didnt wear knickers or trousers as much as possible.

I healed in about 8 weeks. I have no discomfort at all and it isnt tight.

Honestly I think once it was infected the stitches coming out was the best thing. But GET SEEN BY A DOCTOR if you can.

Hugs to you - it is shit.

Hi There,

I realize you made your post years ago so this may be a long shot but worth a try. I’m experiencing a similar situation to you - had an episiotomy split open, had the repair and not it’s opening again. It’s helpful to read a success story because right now it seems like it will never heal.

If you get this, do you mind telling me more about what you did to support healing? Obviously as a new mom it isn’t easy to rest as much as doctors recommend. What did your days look like? Did you continue to do things around the house and get out a bit while still healing in 8 weeks or did you really take it easy?

@johnnycomelurky Ahhh you poor thing!
I know this very well. If you look in the postnatal section of chats, there’s a thread with over 100 comments about this. It’s way more common then I thought. Seriously other people’s stories on here helped me a lot.
My episiotomy stitches broke down 4 days pp. the gaping hole & absolute car crash I saw will never leave my mind. The pain was nothing I’ve ever experienced (worse then the birth!) the first 2 weeks after delivery were the worst of my life. I was actually thinking have I made a massive mistake by having my son & nobody should ever feel like that. Such a dark time. I’m now 11 weeks pp & the difference is crazy. No gaping hole. No pain. It’s all healed. I can actually sit on the floor & play with my son now.
I do have a tiny lump of granulated tissue at the top of my scar, it’s not painful but if it doesn’t improve in the next couple of weeks I will go back to the gp. I’ve been told they can use silver nitrite to get rid of it. I’m actually astounded at how it looks now. Things will get better I promise!

Can't believe how often this happens, when i had my DS with forceps and ended up with 3rd degree tear and an episiotomy that opened up a week later, i thought i was the unluckiest person on earth. The doctors never told me that it happens to a lot of people. Im now 6 weeks pp, still have some difficulty sitting/ getting up and walking. But feel much better now, i had such dark days, regreting not having an csection when i was offered, and not enjoying having my son at all. Im so relieved to hear other people's stories, really was thinking that i will never heal.
My midwives were not as helpful, they kept telling my to only wash myself with water and no other advice, ive started using dettol and witch hazel and feel that its helping.

Its unbelievabe what women go through silently in child birth.

@ImHopeful

Can't believe how often this happens, when i had my DS with forceps and ended up with 3rd degree tear and an episiotomy that opened up a week later, i thought i was the unluckiest person on earth. The doctors never told me that it happens to a lot of people. Im now 6 weeks pp, still have some difficulty sitting/ getting up and walking. But feel much better now, i had such dark days, regreting not having an csection when i was offered, and not enjoying having my son at all. Im so relieved to hear other people's stories, really was thinking that i will never heal. My midwives were not as helpful, they kept telling my to only wash myself with water and no other advice, ive started using dettol and witch hazel and feel that its helping.

Its unbelievabe what women go through silently in child birth.

I am also going through the same situation right now, had DD 2 weeks ago and I am so down and distressed, my midwives refused to examine me and I had to go to urgent care as my perineum had completely broke down and all stitches had come away leaving me with an infection and a massive hole down there. Have been told yesterday urgent care prescribed me with the wrong antibiotics so awaiting a doctors appointment to be put on the right ones and finally start to be on the road to recovery. I feel miserable.

I had the same issue, ended up having a restitch and repair.
Gynae also warned me against baths, and only short ones with Savlon liquid in if totally necessary while healing, lots of airing and rest.