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Childbirth

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

Original poster

do they still use staples to close a c-section wound?

47 replies

olivo · 11/08/2009 16:03

I had some sort of dissolvable stitches so nothing had to be removed. The lady in the bed next to me had a thread with a bead which was cut off and removed after about 5 days. do they use staples still for this? and if so, are they awful and do they hurt when they are removed?
is anything else used?

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Pinkjenny · 11/08/2009 16:06

I had a cs in May 2007 and had a long stitch with a bead at either end. It was fine, although the beads did catch a little which hurt.

It didn't hurt when removed at all.

Casserole · 11/08/2009 16:08

Hi Olivo,

I had the thread and bead option. As I understand it it's sewn through you (prefer to gloss over that mental image!) - and when it comes to having it taken out, they snip off the bead at the end and then pull it gently through.

It didn't hurt when they took it out (though that didn't stop me crying like a baby about it - honestly, was more scared of that than anything that had gone before, so pathetic!!)Took less than 10 secs to get it out, too.

HTH x

Original poster
olivo · 11/08/2009 16:27

so, do you keep the dressing on unitl they cut the beads off? my dressing was removed the next day.

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Pinkjenny · 11/08/2009 16:34

No, the dressing came off mine the next day also.

Original poster
olivo · 11/08/2009 16:40

thanks. i guess it would catch a bit on maternity pads and knickers then. sounds better than staples though!

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EsmeWeatherwax · 11/08/2009 16:41

I had the thread and bead option when I had my first section two years ago, but got staples this time, three months ago. They weren't particularly painful either whilst in or to take out, and I actually have a much neater scar this time too.

Original poster
olivo · 11/08/2009 16:49

thanks esme. i guess i'm just being a bit squeamish! dont know why since it's me who is begging for a c-section!!

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Highlander · 11/08/2009 19:39

I've had both - staples were much more comfortable than the beads.

frimblypoo · 11/08/2009 19:45

Had dissolvable stitches - good
Staples last Sept - bad, took them out after 5 days and wound hadn't closed. Ick.

Original poster
olivo · 11/08/2009 20:30

ouch!
was just warming to the staples idea too

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kiltycoldbum · 11/08/2009 20:36

i had staples precisely 2 months ago and it bloody hurt, only because the consultant stapled me one side the registrar the other, the side the consultant did he did them really tight. it hurt so much that the midwife who came to visit me at home was definitely not allowed to continue trying to get any out and i had to go back to the hospital and someone there did it, they offered me gas and air to get them out. I must say i didnt need it as the m/wife that took them out was AMAZING and it didnt even hurt a fraction of what the other one caused, i think she probably hadnt done many, she seemed to tug up on them iyswim

they hurt in the hospital as they seemed to pull on one side and they leaked on one side, only a little goo so they kept giving me some morphine, however there was no choice in what i had for some reason with my last section i had disolvable stitches this time he just got the staple out, oh joy!

Original poster
olivo · 11/08/2009 20:39

maybe i should go with their VBAC suggestion......

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kiltycoldbum · 11/08/2009 20:49

once youve had the section theres no choice in the future you will have to have sections for any future births so there is that to consider, i think the general consensus is to have disolving stitches or a bead, i just happened to have a consultant that always does staples, they were moaning about it after he left the room like i couldnt hear!

Meglet · 11/08/2009 20:52

In our local hospital it all depends on the preference of the surgeon. I had dissolvable stitches for my em cs almost 3 years ago and a plastic running stitch with a bead for my planned cs. The scar from the dissolvable stiches healed fine and having the running stitch pulled out only took about 3 seconds and was just a tiny sting, much better than even taking a plaster off. No infections either time.

LeonieSoSleepy · 11/08/2009 20:53

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mrsdisorganised · 11/08/2009 20:54

Owww staples sound awful!

I have had 4 c/s, 3 with dissovable stitches (each time had an infection) and 4th was the bead and thread which was by far the best, healed brilliantly! have requested the bead/thread again for my last c/s in october....hopefully!

LeonieSoSleepy · 11/08/2009 20:55

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PinkyMinxy · 11/08/2009 20:57

Kilty- why would you have to have sections for subsequent births?

Unless there is a good reason why not and/or you choose an elcs a vbac is a persfectly legitimate option.

Sorry to butt in. I had a bead with my first and stitches with my other two. The bead was the neatest, my second was the smallest cut, but both the ones with stitches are a bit more bumpy, if that makes sense. Notn had staples- have to say they don't sound very appealing!

good luck.x

kiltycoldbum · 11/08/2009 20:58

oh sorry, i just noticed that if olivo has this section it will be her second c-section, i was told by my consultant after my 2nd section in June that once youve had 2 sections they wouldnt allow you to try for a natural birth again and that you would be given a section. obviously it must vary then, i didnt realise sorry!

PinkyMinxy · 11/08/2009 20:58

lol x-posts, Leonie!

PinkyMinxy · 11/08/2009 21:00

Kilty- I think you may have to persuade some consultants, but unless there is some underlying health problem etc. it is your choice. I was going for a VBA2C with full support of my consultant, but there were problems with my baby so she had to come out early.

mazzystartled · 11/08/2009 21:02

I've had 2 sections, both with staples - at LWH. NOt sure if its standard issue there or surgeon preference, but my community midwife (who I rate, and who has done the honours on removing them, said inhho they made for neater scars). Mine is, indeed, very tidy and did not hur at all although the device with which they are removed looks very much like office stationary.

ABitBatty · 11/08/2009 21:03

I had stitches in 2002 and in May 08 I had staples and much preferred the staples! I recovered really quickly had no infection or 'ickyness' whatsoever. I was really frightened of getting them taken out as upon leaving the hospital they gave me a staple remover just like they use in schools for displays the mw came and took them out and they just pinged out no bother - never had any trouble whatsoever. If I have another baby by cs I will be asking for staples!

Beads sound awful to me!

Original poster
olivo · 11/08/2009 21:04

thanks. i will add the sewing up thing to my list of questions to ask, although it seems to depend on the surgeon. staples are not sounding the best but it really does seem to be pot luck!

yes, this would be my second section, although they are keen for me to try for a vbac... but that's a whole other thread

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Original poster
olivo · 11/08/2009 21:06

abitbatty, i thought for one horrible minute that they were going to ask you to take them out yourself!

interesting to hear they may make for a neater scar. mine healed well and is reasonably neat - i actually thought they used the same line second time around.

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