Stitches fallen out/ signs of infection

[Mim135]

Hi all

I am 5 days PP with baby no 2, had a second degree tear and four different sets of stritches (up, down, left & right 😵).

I have been in a lot of pain, which I expected, but today I looked in the mirror and noticed my stitches are not there - at the top and bottom - just two open wounds! My question is, has anyone been through the same and have any advice on how to ease the pain? Particularly when going to the toilet... and also, is t worth getting checked by the midwife just in case? I don’t want to see her too soon about it if the pain is normal but it’s not easing at all.. I want to get out and about but the pain is so bad, I can barely walk properly 😭

Thanks for reading 😌

So sorry to hear this. My stitches ruptured too but I felt them, it was horrendous. Definitely contact mw in morning, theyll probably want to examine you. See what they advise but I had to shower my episiotomy 3x per day and pat dry. Later I did salt water sitz baths but advice varies on salt baths. I bought a plastic bidet/sitz bath which sits inside of toilet seat for about 6 quid on Amazon, it was very useful for washing wound.
I had an episiotomy plus tear. It was the epi that ruptured but they wouldnt restitch it, it was left to heal from the bottom up.
Good luck

Also pour a jug of water over you as you wee to dilute it and ease pain.

Thank you, I'll give them a call in the morning. Hoping I can get some pain relief or at least some hope that this pain won't go on much longer! Hope you healed quickly afterwards x

I’d bypass the midwife and see your GP. I found MW relatively blazé when I had this happen and one grumbled because my GP asked her to do a swab. In contrast my GP sent me back to hospital because she was so concerned. If you need antibiotics then you need a doctor to prescribe them. And your GP will continue to see you long after your MW has left the scene.

I had 4 directions of tearing too (I didn’t even know this was possible before having DD), but the episiotomy that had extended by tearing to my leg was the one that opened up. I also had to let it heal for a few weeks, but then had it restitched by a surgeon who specialises in pelvic floor reconstruction.

Actually I agree to go straight to your GP. My mw missed infections twice but my GP didnt. Plus your GP might give you antibiotics as a precaution.

Thanks ladies, took your advice - seeing the gp this morning x

Unfortunately it's infected but got some antibiotics and strong painkillers to ease the pain slightly- thank you both for your advice!

Did it take long for the unbearable pain to subside for you?! I'm hoping I can walk around without feeling awful once the antibiotics kick in, in the next day or two, or is this wishful thinking?! Obviously expect discomfort as the wounds heal on their own but hopefully not what I'm currently experiencing! Other than this, I'm feeling generally well so it's really dampening having a newborn plus have a three year old who I can't do anything with until I feel better, which makes the Mum guilt even harder!

I honestly can’t remember how long it took for me not to be in pain. I hope it gets better quickly x