Do stitches hurt?

[PSL1990]

If you had stitches, what did it feel like? Honesty welcome! Can you request anything stronger than the local aesthetic injection which I've heard isn't that effective. Thanks!

My pain threshold is zero, I had anaesthetic for my stitches and I didn't feel a thing. It was a second degree tear and it was over and done with before I knew it. I didn't feel the tear either and only had gas and air for the delivery. The worst bit for me was going for a wee for the first few days as it stung like a bastard. I eased this by pouring warm water as I was going. I healed really quickly.

Not having them done as far as I remember and I only had gas and air during delivery. Had a ventouse and a bit torn but bloody uncomfortable while healing. Midwife told me to pee in the shower!

I had stitches after my first. It was fine. I can't remember any local anaesthetic but I was definitely still on the gas & air.

The only slight downside (more funny in hindsight) was having a student present so I got a running commentary while they stitched me up, I seem to remember comments about it being "an awkward angle".

I pulled the knot out in the bath just over a week later once the stitches had dissolved.

I had second degree tears after two births, local anaesthetic before the stitching started and didn't feel a thing. I had tea, toast and a chat about baby names with the midwife both times whilst she was stitching.

Had episiotomy with first and a small tear with second baby, stitches both times. The stitching itself was painless, the local anaesthetic worked well. It was quite stingy for a while after and ached if I sat too long on a hard surface.

I had a terrible tear when I had my daughter. I fiund the stitching worse than the birth. I was given gas and air but that made it difficult to stay still and I was shouted at by the woman (midwife? Doctor?) doing the stitching.

Stitches after DC1. Whilst I could feel something going on It was completely nothing and didnt hurt in the slightest. I certainly wouldntxeorrh about it.

Had a natural birth. No pain relief.

Tore badly.

After anaesthetic administration I couldn't feel a thing.

worst bit was peeing day or so later

Mine were done before I even knew she had started I was too busy staring at baby

Stitches won't good for me. Second degree tear in two places, injected four times with general anesthetic as it hurt.
What didnt help me was that a midwife decided to train another midwife on how to do stitches on me without my consent, it took one hour in total and she redone them about 4 times (i was so tired and exhausted I couldn't even question what was going on).
My son is now 3 weeks old and for the past week I have just been able to sit down properly, i was very sore and tender down there and could only feed him standing but I think the reason mine was so bad compared to others was because they kept undoing and redoing them.

First birth was a 3rd degree tear so I had an epidural. The inspection beforehand was worse than the birth

2nd birth was a 2nd degree tear. I had local anaesthetic and chugged so much gas and air I started hallucinating. I was convinced (I loud whispered it over and over again to my DH) that the poor doctor stitching me up was a Twirlywoo I presume it hurt but I was off my rocker so I don’t remember the pain.

I had some grazing with DS2, and the midwife gave me the option of stitches.

I'd laboured and birthed with gas and air and felt ok. Honestly the thought of anyone sticking a needle in me (local or not) terrified me. I'd used all my pain management up! I declined. MW did need to check I was healing ok when she visited me at home and luckily I did.

I had an episiotomy with DS so had stitches but didn't feel a thing. They weren't painful particularly while they healed, just felt a bit tight for a while.

I was just numbed with local and honestly didn't feel a thing

Pain wise I didn't feel a thing pressed post too soon.
I could feel the stitch being pulled through but it wasn't a pain. The only way I can describe it is a bit like pulling string through your finger

Third degree tear so stitched under GA. So obviously wasn't aware of them being done but had no problems with healing afterwards , dissolved pretty quickly too.

I didn't feel the ones with DS2 at all and they were done very slowly as one midwife was training the other. Then they realised that I was bleeding heavily due to some retained placenta, so unfortunately her efforts were ripped apart when they did the ERPC but the surgeon doing it gave me a very neat and fast new set which of course I also didn't feel due to the spinal anaesthetic. They didn't ever hurt enough to require painkillers after completion either, just an occasional tight feeling and some itchiness.

I had an ERPC and excellent stitches from the surgeon with DS1 and never felt any discomfort from them at all. The midwife and GP who checked healing on post natal appointments both said how impressive his stitching was.

I didn't have anaesthetic injection, had no idea people did. I think there was some sort of spray that was cold. Being stitched didn't hurt and having stitches was OK, they pulled of course but nothing dire. Nice salt baths were advised.

The only negative thing about me having stitches was that they had to be removed - I'd been told they would dissolve or come out of their own accord and they didn't.

First time I had an episiotomy and the stitches were uncomfortable but fine.

Second time?! Honestly, it was hell. I had a second degree internal tear and the midwife kept saying ‘just a few more, just a few more’ for what felt like hours. It lasted around 45 minutes according to DH and he said I sobbed through it.

Both times the healing process was quick and really much more manageable than I had worried about.

Got a second degree tear stitched up last night, so speaking from very recent experience 😂 it was absolutely fine. Took ages as well because the midwife is still training to do them I think, so she had a doctor there with her giving guidance and it was all a bit slow. I was really dreading it because I'd had an epidural on my first and have heard people say the stitches were worse than the labour - I can confirm that was 100% not the case for me 😂. Most painful part of the stitching process is when they're poking about checking the tear, but you'll have gas and air did that. Local anaesthetic going in was actually fine (and I'm a right wimp with needles), I was expecting it to really sting but I hardly felt it. And then, with the anaesthetic, the only thing I could feel during the stitching was a slight tugging sensation as they pulled the thread through, no pain whatsoever (but they'll let you keep hold of the gas and air if you want to).

Had stitches with both of mine. The gas and air helped and frankly it was like being on a fun fair compared to the actual deliveries. You did ask for honesty! A friend of mine had an epidural though and said she couldn't feel a thing

4th degree tear with first, had to have epidural to get stitched up. I fell asleep in the table while they were doing it! The healing just sort of felt like I was very bruised down there if that makes sense. I was terrified the first few times I went the loo though! All fine. Had 2nd degree tear with second and stitches just after having her which stung a bit but were nothing compared to pushing a baby out!

Stitches with both of mine, the first due to forceps so had them in theatre with a spinal. These were deep stitches internally as well and the recovery was fine but sex felt quite uncomfortable at first... but soon got over this.

2nd time I had an episiotomy and a natural birth but I had a Fully retained placenta so was rushed to theatre and it was removed (spinal needed) . I was then stitched up again in theatre by the consulatanr

I don't remember much of birth (on pethadine, was totally spaced out) but I do remember reflexively kicking out at the midwife in pain when being stitched, so from that I conclude they hurt.

I had no pain relief when I gave birth, ended up with a 2nd degree tear. The local anaesthetic injection was awful. I could feel each stitch happening but not on a pain level, just a horrid sensation. I had G&A whilst I was being stitched (DH said he lost count after 30).

I wasn't very comfortable for a few days but I healed well - a couple of drops of lavender oil in the bath works wonders. Going to the loo wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be either.

One tip - use the Boots Ultra Thin maternity pads. As soon as I switched to those from the bulky ones, it made life a lot more comfortable.