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

Original poster

Pain relief for stitches

16 replies

dillinger · 21/01/2008 17:31

After I had ds I needed a lot of stitches to repair a 3rd degree tear. Id had an epidural so didnt feel a thing.

Im hoping for a homebirth and as far as Im aware if I just need a few small stitches that the midwife can do I will have gas and air, and pethidine (am I correct?) for pain relief. How have people found that? Is it any good? If I tore badly at home and had to be transferred for stitches, what pain relief can I have then? Surely if its a bad tear like before I could have something stronger? Im a bit worried about this aspect.

Thanks

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 21/01/2008 17:33

You can have local anaesthetic for stitches at home.

BellaBear · 21/01/2008 17:33

i had gas and air and a local anaesthetic for a 2nd degree tear, all done by a mw if that helps

SoupDragon · 21/01/2008 17:34

BTW I had a 2nd degree tear repaired at home with G&A and local anaesthetic. It was fine. Not pleasant, not pain free but fine.

LadyOfWaffle · 21/01/2008 17:34

I would imagine the MW would give a local anathingy (can't spell) for giving stitches? I know that's what the do in hospital if you don't have an epi.

Original poster
dillinger · 21/01/2008 17:35

So did that make you comfortably numb enough or just 'take the edge off'?

OP posts:
lulumama · 21/01/2008 17:35

Dillinger, did you have an episiotomy last time? for forceps? if so, and you have a straightforward delivery, there is no reason you would tear as badly again.....if you want pethidine or meptid for pain relief, your GP might need to prescribe it,check with your MW.

you will definitely have gas & air to use at home , if you have to transfer for stitches if it is complex repair, you will have pain relief there, and a spinal if major repair needed in theatre

are you considering a water birth? water is excellent to support the perineum and reduce tearing. also delivery on all fours or on your left side with your right leg up are good positions to help reduce risk of tearing.

lulumama · 21/01/2008 17:36

also, local anaesthetic will be given at home!

Original poster
dillinger · 21/01/2008 17:36

Ahh ok, I wasnt sure what the midwife would have with her.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 21/01/2008 17:39

Oh, I had a 3rd degree tear with DS1 (he was huge and was a ventouse delivery that arrived all at once!) and "only" a 2nd degree with both DS2 (on left side with right leg up!) and DD (water birth). I don't think there was any difference between the repair after DS2 which was in hospital and the one after DD which was at home.

newcm · 21/01/2008 17:41

I also had an epidural for my 1st child and needed a lot of stitches. My epidural had worn off by the time my son was born so needed local anaesthetic also. I felt everything and i was in more pain than when my son was actually born. After speaking to some friends they told me they didn't feel anything so something wasn't quite right for me and it has confused me a bit aswell! I too am hoping for a home birth (due in may) and am petrified about the stitches. I haven't heard anyone else saying they felt the stitching so i'm hoping it was just a fluke for me that time round! I am ever the optimist though!

Original poster
dillinger · 21/01/2008 17:42

Yes I had an episiotomy and the 3rd degree led on from that. I will ask the midwife if I need a prescription when I see her next week. Is repairing a 3rd degree a major repair? So Id be able to have a spinal if that happened? I know last time I was being stitched for about 45 minutes in theatre.

I wanted a water birth last time, havent given it much thought this time. Was going to use a tens again, obv I cant use both, what would people recommend? Maybe theres another thread somewhere.

OP posts:
Original poster
dillinger · 21/01/2008 17:43

newcm - Im petrified about the stitches too.

OP posts:
newcm · 21/01/2008 17:50

It's funny cos most people worry about the birth but my last experience traumatised me a bit and its all i can think about now. I think that is the reason that i have opted for a home birth as i couldn't bear the thought of the hosp as i associate it with the pain of the stitching. I just try to keep positive and think it can't be as bad as last time and i might not need stitching anyway!!!!! When are you due?

Original poster
dillinger · 21/01/2008 18:08

Im due march 21st. Thats right we might sail through this time When are you due? My previous birth traumatised me too, Ive spoken to the midwifery manager from my hosp etc I just dont want to feel like I did last time. xx

OP posts:
newcm · 21/01/2008 18:18

I'm due 4th may. Just keep positive, there is nothing you can do about it now and 3 yrs after my 1st was born i've come to the conclusion that time does actually heal! It is such a short period of time in the whole of everything so just keep remembering that it will stop. Well done for speaking to the midwifery manager. At least its all for a good cause! Let me know how you get on. xx

alfiesbabe · 21/01/2008 19:29

dillinger - don't worry! I didn't have an epidural with either of my VBs. With dd1, the midwife gave me a little injection of local anaesthetic and I was fine. At one point it wore off a bit (I just felt a tingling sensation) and she just gave a bit more local. After ds, I didn't have a local, just sucked on the G and A a bit.
Before giving birth, the stitches idea terrifed me more than anything, but it really isnt as bad as you think. By the time you've pushed the baby out, stitches won't seem a big deal at all.

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