A question about sutures / stitches!

[tamula]

Hi I had my baby girl 4 weeks ago.

She was 8lb 2oz and I suffered 2nd degree extended tears. So I was sutured inside and out. My question is when do the stitches go away? I can still see them clearly and although they're not as painful as before I still feel some discomfort.

Another question I have sorry if its TMI but I feel pain / discomfort in the clitoral area now too Almost like it fills up with air!!I'm just praying that this is normal (ish) and I havent done myself an injustice down there!! That would be more than i could bear.

Many thanks.

Hi Tamula

When I had stiches they were the ones that dissolve but I can't remember how long it took. I did have a bit of discomfort though for a few weeks after.

If your worried go and see your GP. Do you have a 6 week check up appointment. If so you could ask then.

Thanks NBG, mines are the dissolvable type too, but god knows when they do their dissolving magic

Mine took AGES to dissolve but were gone for my six-week check.

I had exactly the same with mine and the same feeling. I think I even got fed up and had dh cut one of the stitches that didn't disolve after 4 weeks or so. They eventually did all dissolve. And you do eventually go back to feeling normal, but it does take ages.

When you have your 6-week check-up, ask the doctor to have a look just to make sure that all is healing as it should. Some doctors don't check, jsut ask 'Everything OK?' and that's the end of the check-up, but the first time around I didn't heal properly so I'm glad that the doc did check. Second time around the doc was surprised that I wanted her to check, but she did, and I was very reassured by her remarks on the state of my bits. And, TBH, at 4w I couldn't tell the difference between the time when I healed well and the time when I didn't. Don't mean to worry you, most likely you are healing well - it just feels strange to you (not surprising! ).

mine didnt really dissolve, they came away on loo paper and in the bath, i suffered a 3rd degree tear (inside and out) and i remember the worst was the feeling of tightness from the stitches and awful itchiness when i was healing...drove me mad!

Have you been having frequent baths? When I was at home I had baths twice a day and it kept my stiches moist and more comfortable. I really noticed the difference when I was in with DS back in hospital, I felt as though they had become infected and I was really uncomfortable. Put a bit of savlon in to help make sure it stays clean. I hope you feel better soon.

Hi, i also tore very badly during labour and was stitched inside and out i cant remember how long the stitches took to dissolve but i can remember feeling uncomfortable down below until around 6-8 weeks i did find that frequent baths with tea tree oil or lavender oil helped ease the pain and tightness. hope this helps.

Thanks guys, feeling alot better about the time it takes to heal, well not better but feeling at least normal

Hi Tamula - I too had lots of stitching inside as well as epesiotomy (sp?) scar. It took me about 14 weeks before I was totally pain free and my 'bits' looked normal again. As for clitoral pain- I had exactly what you describe. I too thought that it had been damaged during birth. After about 12 weeks of pain I realised that the pain was actually coming from underneath my clitoras - my symphysis pubis (the part where your pelvis joins at the front). I have since been diagnosed with symphysis pubis dysfunction. This causes problems with physical movement but also hinders sexual enjoyment as stimulation causes me to be in pain for the following 4 days. I hope this helps and you feel better soon.

I suffered a third degree tear and still had internal stitches at 12 weeks, I can't remember when they went completely. I am now 6 months post natal and still feel very 'tight' down there when I am tired! But I can't believe how near to 'normal' I am now compared to just after the birth when I must admit I felt very depressed.