2nd degree tear and stitches

[chocolate26]

I had my DD one week ago today and had a 2nd degree tear. It hasn't been too painful so far but over the last couple of days it has become itchy like if you cut yourself and it scabs, that kind of itchy and a little bit sore. Is this normal? Or should I mention it to a midwife incase of infection? I've had a look and it's a little bit red but not too red and not swollen. I can also see a bit of white string hanging out which I'm assuming is the end of the stitches? How long did it take for your stitches to heal or to at least not hurt or itch? 😊

Hi, I remember being extremely itchy when healing! I had no infection so think it's normal, alongside hormonal changes also playing a role. I had to use a damp flannel to help relieve the itchiness (although don't allow stitches to stay too wet either).

Itchy is normal. It’s a sign that it’s healing.
I’m afraid I don’t know how long it took for stitches to go as I was determined not to look!

I'm 7 weeks postpartum and my stitches were more sore than itchy. I think by around 3 weeks I had healed x

I was just going to start a similar thread. I'm 10 days postpartum - haven't even noticed the stitches but have suddenly started feeling a bit sore there. The midwife checked my stitches this morning and said they looked good so I'm hoping it's just part of the healing process. The pain came after she'd gone though so I'm hoping getting into position to show her hasn't aggravated something.

I had a second degree tear with one stitch. No pain really until around one week pp and it was so sore and itchy after that. Stitches have usually done their job by around 7-10 days and can then be bothersome.

Think it lasted until 3 weeks pp for me.

I had a 4th degree tear and I too had the itchiness you mentioned and just braved it out and tried to ignore it. My midwife did tell me the stitches will become itchy like a healing scab but that this is a good sign and means its healing.

I couldn't say how long it took for my stitches to dissolve as I have a few inside and I dont look at myself. I am 3 and 1/2 weeks post partum now and no pain or itchiness. For me it went around 2 1/2 weeks.

Try soaking a maternity pad in water and freezing it before using it.
Helps if uncomfortable or sore

You def need to have it checked. I thought the pain I had was normal until I started hallucinating with a raging temperature. By that point the infection was so bad it had eaten away into my leg. Years ago they used to check stitches as part of post natal care but they don't now unless you ask.