Episotomy

[Chrisii1991]

I had one just over four weeks but due to the coronavirus a midwife cannot come out to check the stitches. How do you know when its fully healed when you cant check it yourself or noone can check. Are there signs to look for?

Are you still in any pain at all?

No just a bit itchy sometimes. Im also finding what i think are the stitches falling out on to the maternity pad.

Mine stayed itchy for quiet a while but was completely healed by 5/6 weeks although would still be a little sore occasionally .
Have a look with a mirror , it won't be as scary as you think it will be !

If you're not in pain and there's no discharge, you're probably OK. Mine healed in a few weeks and the stitches are probably coming out because it's healing. I'm not medically qualified, though, so hope someone who is will respond as well. Congratulations on your new baby!

I'm not sure they routinely check stitches.

They'd be worried about infection mainly - signs are smelliness, discharge/pus oozing, redness and swelling, soreness.

Itchiness can be just part of the healing. Can you get DP to look?

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/episiotomy/

Agree it sounds fine. Where the stitches ended near my bum, mine got a little bit ooozy but midwife said it was fine unless it smelled bad or hurt. I’ve healed with a dimple down there now, but no complications.

Yours sounds like it’s doing great.

Try lavender for the itching and congratulations x

I had one and 3 weeks pp. I managed to look using a mirror and seems the stitches have fallen out and its healing well. I'm not sure about the other internal stitches. Its itchy which I have been told is a good sign. Midwife only checked mine day 5.