Failed episiotomy stitches

[LightTripper]

My episiotomy stitches failed a couple of days ago, so had the remnants removed. I don't think there were more than 5 or 6, so not a big wound, things were looking to be healthy/healing well, and it feels much better since the stitches have gone. But I do now have a v shaped opening on the side of my vagina, and I guess it will result in being mire "open" and maybe a different level/pattern of scarring?

However, I failed to ask about any longer term consequences and wondered if anybody else had experience of this? In particular, does it healing "open" make any difference to the chances of tearing or needing a cut in any future pregnancy? And has it made any difference to sex for you or your partner?

Thanks!

LT

Will it not heal? My stitches came out but it still healed over. Took a long time but did eventually.

I think it will heal, but in a different shape to if the stitches had held (I assume the stitches make a difference, or why would they ever stitch?)

I thought the stitches were to speed healing and so less exposure to infection. No expert though.

My understanding at the time was it went through a different slower healing process and you can end up with more of the healed tissue there, so like a ridge or something. There were some terms I was told that I googled but don't recall them now. There was a specific name for the process. I'm thinking it might have included secondary and crystallisation.

I don't recall any issue about it leaving more of a gap though.

Certainly in my experience after a very long time healing (months) I don't notice any difference. But I can't say I've looked much.

Did they give you any idea when they took them out?

My stitches came undone and i had the v shape too. I was left to heal up naturally which took about 8 weeks and I sat in a small bath of salt water 3 and 4 times a day to speed up the healing process, keep the area clean and prevent infection - I would highly recommend bathing in water with salt sprinkled in. My scar looks ok and sex is the same as before I had my baby. If anything, I'm left a bit more gaping open but it doesn't matter as it's only cosmetic and my DH is fine with it.

My stitches came undone after first child then with my second (who just slid out I might add) I tore a Lil bit but healed naturally then with my third I needed cut again and loads of stitches he's 13 month old now n I don't think I'll ever be the same again down there! So sorry but I couldn't tell you if it will heal over a just think everyone heals differently.

Thanks ladies! I'll just see what happens...

I could of written this post myself!

I'am 4 weeks pp and the same has happened to me. I ended up having an epsisitomy due to a forceps delivery. The main epsisitomy has healed up fine but the entrance to my vagina (how embarrassing) has this V type slit on the side which has made the entrance a lot larger.

I'm so upset & haven't been able to stop crying, midwifes have been no help & said it's one of those things. I've been to my Gp who said it should heal on it's own, if not I will have to have a fentons. Cannot bear the thought of an operation to fix it.

I have searched the internet - not always a good thing! And have not found anyone else in a similar situation or has been through it & healed ok. Most people seem to suffer on the perineum part with holes.

Ladies is it really possible to heal down there? Will it heal apart or together? It's ruined the past 4 weeks that I should enjoy with stress & worry. All I've wanted is someone to reassure me but I've basically been told to get on with it.

Sorry you had a bad experience. My guess is that people who have a good experience just move on, so Google is not your friend!! Will post back here if I find out more at my 6 week appointment.

Here's hopefully a reasonably good story. I had a 3inch episiotomy which broke down 9 days pp, I had to have granulation tissue cauturised 4 times (which sounds awful but actually the relief afterwards was immediate), it healed eventually, it took a while but it sounds like my wound was bigger, it was left more open than before but then things are more open after having a baby anyway so I have no idea what it would have been like otherwise! Things were fine, we even went on to have dc2! Then I had the same problem again-v rare I must add, and the drs were so sympathetic and gave me the highest level of care. This time it healed within 5 weeks. Largely because I knew what to do to promote healing-what helped the most was at least twice daily salt baths, as much exercise as you can handle (short walks in the early days even help, you're promoting general blood flow which helps the wound in particular) washing the area after each trip to the toilet, and airing the wound-i.e. if you're not bleeding just wear no knickers, if you are, then lay down on a towel with no knickers as many time s and as long as you can.

Again it healed in the end, again more open, main difference was more.normal discharge than before, but again many women postnatal have this anyway.

Proof it was all ok is that I'm now expecting dc3. I'm under shared midwife/consultant care because of my history. But I must stress that this happening more than once is v v rare.

Hope this gives you some hope!

Sc09 my episiotomy included a v type slit at the top. It healed ok :).hopefully u will too