My stitches have split, docs n MW don't seem bothered

[ElBombero]

But they aren't gonna be left with the mess are they? It it literally gaping holes on perineum about 3mm diameter and about the same just inside my fanjo. Drive o hospital as I wanted them checking n all I got was "we don't resuture as a rule, it will heal by itself" thought yeah but with two holes (that I can see) any experience?

It will heal and the not resuturing thing is generally due to the fact that there is now potential for there to be infection there and the last thing you want to happen is for us to resuture an infected perineum. I'd expect it to be reexamined and potentially antibiotics to be prescribed with advice on healing and aftercare with a follow up in a few weeks or at your GP check. Hope you're ok.

Would the answer not be antibiotics n suturing? I'm ok just upset, my second baby I already had a messy scar n feel like ill have 2 holes now. MW swabbed it so they might be concerned about infection. Thanks for answering

One of my stitches 'popped open' they left it, to be honest I wasn't brave enough to look for holes etc, but I was advised to have a v quick dip in the bath daily which had salt and a few drops of lavender to aid the healing, I was probably in for less than a minute as didn't want to dissolve them too quickly but it did seem to help and seemed more comfortable too, although this could just be time! (I was also having a quick shower in the morning again trying not to soak stitches but get everywhere else clean.

I had a forceps delivery with DS, large episiotomy and lots of bruising.
My wound broke down and was left to heal without resuturing. Like you I thought things would never be the same down there and there would be horrendous scarring, but it healed well and my next two deliveries with my DDs were normal with little tearing and no sutures required.

It really should heal ok. The healing takes place from deep inside first up to the skin layer...so it may take a while for it to look better.

I remember as a student midwife seeing someone with a really big hole after stitches broke down, I really thought it would need suturing but Dr said no. Dr asked her to come back a week later and to me it didn't look much different but Dr was happy with it. I've saw her a few months later (in the supermarket) and she said it was fine. Obv I didn't see it that last time!

Aww thanks,

Same thing happened to me, it honestly will heal. Hope it's not too uncomfortable.

Same happened here and I was convinced I'd never be the same again. It took a little longer to fully heal than it would had the stitches worked, but all went back to normal in the end and you'd never know.

Same happened here and I was convinced I'd never be the same again. It took a little longer to fully heal than it would had the stitches worked, but all went back to normal in the end and you'd never know.

Its not the stitches that cause you to heal, its you! All the stitches do is hold the edges close together to encourage them to heal quickly. They also put pressure on bleeding points immediately after delivery.

In most people, the edges lie close anatomically because we tear in a crease in the body. To encourage healing, don't sit with your legs apart and keep the area clean. Plenty of rest and a good diet. Lots of women heal without stitches. Resuturing at this point is often very uncomfortable and unsuccessful.

Any sign of infection requires prompt antibiotics. So any increase in pain or looking red/swollen or new nasty smell from discharge…..get treatment.

Another here, don't worry. My MW took them out as she said they were "neither use nor ornament"

All ok now, several years later - I may not win any beauty contests down there, but its absolutely fine.

My whole episiotomy came apart, I rested as much as possible, tried to stay off my feet and lie down rather than sit on my poor fanjo. Anyway it took about another 2 weeks but they healed fine and now I just have a very thin scar.

Congratulations on your new baby

I had the same as you OP - I got an emergency appointment with my GP, who checked there was no sign of infection, and made a follow-up appointment for me the week after. Perhaps you could see your GP for monitoring and reassurance? She too said the wound would heal from the inside. (1 year on and I have a very neat scar, no damage done.)

This happened to me both times. No holes now - honest!

I've had the same experience too and everything healed well. Main concern is to avoid infection - try putting a couple of drops of lavender oil in a shallow bath - promotes healing and is antiseptic too.

Thanks guys very reassuring xx

Mine broke down and it was resutured completely. Not exactly a designer vagina but (several) docs have commented that you'd never know I'd had a baby! And this one will be coming out the sunroof!

This happened to me lsst night so I rang post natal ward in a panic. They said to just pop a pad on and wait for community midwife coming today ! Reassured reading this thread but worried about the bleeding!