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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

CS dressing and stitches coming out tomorrow...how much is it going to hurt??

24 replies

lurcherlover · 15/04/2013 14:35

DD was born by elcs on Thurs and tomorrow's the day of dressing and stitch removal...I have a honeycomb dressing which looks very tightly stuck down, and non-dissolvable stitches to come out. Am I going to be writhing on the bed or will this be ok? I'm feeling pretty nervous about it...

OP posts:

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Ginismyfriend · 15/04/2013 14:38

I was terrified about mine coming out and it was truly absolutely fine. Felt a bit odd but it didn't hurt (obviously it'll be hurting anyway, but no new pain!).

Jacksterbear · 15/04/2013 14:38

No it won't hurt. And I'm a total wuss about that kind of thing but, really, it doesn't hurt at all! You'll be fine. And congrats on your dd.

YoniLovesChachi · 15/04/2013 14:38

I had it done lying on the sofa. I had one of those continuous stitches, with beads that they snipped off at one end and pulled the other end to remove it. It didn't hurt, but it was uncomfortable. Nothing felt any different after it had been done, it felt secure.

GlaikitFizzog · 15/04/2013 14:38

I had staples and no dressing. They are stingy coming out but not unbearable. Are you still on post cs painkillers? Make sure you take them just before the MW comes round.

I found the after pains I got when feeding far more painful than the staples coming out.

Ginismyfriend · 15/04/2013 14:38

Posted too soon. Congratulations on your new DD!

Original poster

lurcherlover · 15/04/2013 14:43

Thanks guys. Yep I'm taking paracetamol and ibruprofen so I'll make sure I've had all the doses I'm allowed. I'm just worried as the pain is ok, but a sudden sneeze or movement really hurts - I've got an irrational worry that once the stitches are out I will cough and my uterus will fall out - I do know this won't happen really, honestly...you've made me feel much calmer, thanks

OP posts:

GlaikitFizzog · 15/04/2013 14:45

I felt les like my uterus would fall out once the staples were out. You don't feel the restriction anymore.

Enjoy your newborn snuggles

MaryPoppinsBag · 15/04/2013 14:45

IIRC I just felt numb where the stitches were and did so for a number of weeks.
The midwife gave me my anti clotting injections in that area because you are still numb.

So don't worry.

Jacksterbear · 15/04/2013 14:47

Yep I had this feeling too, I found a post-cs belt really helped with the feeling that I was about to burst open! This is the one I had.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 15/04/2013 14:48

I was nervous about my stitches, but the midwife was so careful. They did pinch a bit, but it was nowhere near as bad as I was worried it might be!

Jacksterbear · 15/04/2013 14:49

Arghh wrong link! Will try again... here

MyDarlingClementine · 15/04/2013 14:52

I was told the stitches inside are made with amazingly tough stuff and many layers so even if one did open - you have another backing you up under neath.

I had honeycomb, and I also was dreading it coming off, esp first shower.
It was fine, the strangest thing was, it left loads of sticky stuff on my stomach that took ages to get off, without wanting to press or scrub to hard.....like a week to get off.

SneezySnatcher · 15/04/2013 16:39

What?!!! They have to come out? I genuinely didn't realise this. Never ever had an op before and assumed they would dissolve (I'm not stupid, honestly).

Had a crash section for placental abruption on Saturday and this hadn't even crossed my mind.

Shit.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 15/04/2013 16:43

Sneezy - you may well have dissolvable ones. I did with my first section.

GlaikitFizzog · 15/04/2013 17:01

Your MW should be checking your scar during her visits Sneezy (maybe try not to be sneezy just now - ouch) next time she is in ask her. :)

SneezySnatcher · 15/04/2013 17:29

Glaikit still in hospital as waters went before labour so DS and I are being observed for infection. Should be home tomorrow as long as last blood culture is fine and my Hb levels are ok after transfusion. Seen loads of midwives and not one has asked about scar/looked at it or mentioned it at all! Feel like a fool. I haven't even looked as I can't see it without a mirror and I don't have one!

GlaikitFizzog · 15/04/2013 17:41

Oh sneezy (((hugs))) you have nothing to feel foolish about. It's a big shock having a Cs and yours sounds quite an ordeal. Next time a MW is around, doing BPs or dishing out meds (which they should be doing unprompted, but that's another thread) just ask them. They should do a full hand off when you are discharged on wound care and the like. Have you been up and about, had a chance for a shower etc?

Congratulations on your DS :)

Moominsarehippos · 15/04/2013 17:42

It went hurt (I haven't had CS but a bloody long lovely chain stitch!). You will feel a tugging but not pain.

TolliverGroat · 15/04/2013 17:49

Sneezy, you'll also have to see a doctor before you are discharged, so you can ask him/her then. Someone really should have been checking your c/s incision, though -- if no one has then that's not good. It could be worth asking the next mw about it.

SneezySnatcher · 15/04/2013 18:25

I'll ask the next MW I see. They've been great about meds/helping with DS and helping me to shower. I was out of bed after 24 hours (yesterday) and completely mobile today.

It's just been a real shock. I had a completely straightforward birth with DD and had planned (and was having) a waterbirth with DS until I hit 7cm and my placenta abrupted. Had never considered I'd have a CS (certainly not a crash one under GA) and I think it's just hit me how little I know. Plus I'm missing DD (just 3) and feeling guilty I'm not there for her.

GlaikitFizzog · 15/04/2013 18:47

Oh sneezy, bless you. You must be in shock. My cs was semi planned (failed induction, 24 hour notice) and I was in shock. Your dd will be fine. Post a thread here and you will be inundated with advice and assistance.

Someone should have at least looked at your wound though. I was meticulous with mine and still ended up with an infection and an allergic reaction to the staples. That surprised my consultant!!

It will take a while to sink in and you will be on auto pilot for a while, but consider asking for a debrief of your notes at a later point to discuss what happened.

You will be home in a day or so and that's will be when the fun starts. You shouldn't be lifting dd for about 6-8 weeks. I was driving short distances after about four weeks. But you need to wait and see how you feel in yourself.

Get some arnica (people knock it but I took it and I think it helped) tea tree and peppermint oil for wound care and some gauze to stop it sticking to its self or your clothes. Big apple catcher granny knickers too!

TolliverGroat · 15/04/2013 18:56

No wonder you're still reeling. That's a huge amount for you to process.

Don't worry too much about your DD. When I had DD1 when DS was just 3 he was really cross that I didn't stay in hospital the way all his "So, you're having a baby sibling!" books had told him I would.

Alibabaandthe40nappies · 15/04/2013 19:09

Sneezy what a nightmare for you!

Don't feel guilty about your DD, or at least not anymore guilty than you would anyway - that is completely normal when you have your second child and wouldn't be lessened if you had had the birth you planned.

I had an ELCS with DS2, and I was very well afterwards, out of bed later the same day and so on.
I felt so guilty that DS1 was without me while I was in hospital and couldn't hug me etc like he had been able to.

I definitely agree with Fizz about asking for a debrief - and I am amazed that no-one has looked at your wound! Mine was checked a couple of times a day while I was in hospital.

mum47 · 15/04/2013 19:15

sneezy I had an emergency cs with my first (different circs) - it is a huge shock, it took me a long time to come to terms with the fact that the birth was not the magical experience I was expecting (as if that was ever going to happen!)

I had staples - I was terrified about getting them out, but it was fine. Just look after yourself after you get home - and congratulations!

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