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Original poster

Episiotomy stitches gaping

52 replies

Pinkrach · 28/02/2015 10:04

I know this is the pregnancy board but there's more traffic here and hoping someone will have some positive experiences. I recently has an episiotomy, and after increased pain, my midwife told me that about 1cm of the stitches have opened. She said it would heal on its own but it's so so painful. I am terrified to go to the toilet because of the pain - it's really getting me down. Even getting into position to feed my little boy can bring me to tears. Any tips? Please tell me it will get better.... :( x

OP posts:
MacGotFat · 28/02/2015 20:38

Actually, 2-3 must be an exaggeration of memory- probably more like 1cm! Blush

Rosieliveson · 28/02/2015 20:47

Sorry if this is repetitive or a bit gross. Exactly the same happened to me. A few stitches popped open when I tried to go to the loo so I had a 'neat, little hole' to quote my GP.
It was very sore and did take quite a while to heal (10-12) weeks but was perfectly fine after that. The hole did close up, mostly anyway, there is a small scar-like piece of skin there but it causes me no trouble at all.
Drink a lot and eat fruit so going to the loo is easier. I found if helped to hold a damp flannel against the area on the loo as it did sting!
Hope your GP can put your worries at ease.

Original poster
Pinkrach · 28/02/2015 20:48

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. At least I know that there is hope if it doesn't heal too well. I suppose I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed. I am having salt baths twice a day- will remember to not stay in too long from now on. I've got a midwife coming out on Monday, so I'll see what she says when she has a look xxx

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doobeedee · 01/03/2015 08:49

If you can't sit, get some decent pain killers. I went back to the hospital and got some Diclofenac. The pain was miles better after the first few tablets.

Novia · 01/03/2015 09:11

Hi - just wanted to echo what others have said. It's painful and scary (especially as you have a baby to deal with too) but it does heal.

I had an episiotomy which got infected and all my stitches split - at least 2 cms. They didn't catch it for a week and then I was on the wrong antibiotics for another 4 days. In the end I was on 3 different antibiotics at the same time as I had multiple infections (and sorry for TMI - it was full of pus). It was probably the lowest point in my life, it was absolute agony and I was frightened it wouldn't get better. But despite all that eventually it did and the big split granulated back together. It might not be as pretty, but all fully functioning and no pain during sex, etc which I was worried about. I was also told that they would operate if I needed it, so be assured they will sort it out if it doesn't heal.

The thing that made a difference to me was a salt bath twice a day. Warm shallow bath which just covers your bits with a big handful of salt and a regular swap with iodine (you can get a big bottle on Amazon. Tea tree oil and witch hazel made no difference. Also - use proper big maternity pads (the Natura ones are best) as they are less abrasive.

Good luck - it will get better. Don't be afraid to make a fuss if you feel things are not improving, don't let the midwife sign you off and insist on another swab.

Original poster
Pinkrach · 01/03/2015 11:47

No via that sounds awful!! I'm so glad things improved for u without the need for another operation. Did it knit back together completely? Did u out the iodine on cotton wool? I haven't even looked at mine myself- I'm far to scared!! My DH had a look and said it was just a little opening but that it was clean xx

OP posts:
Novia · 01/03/2015 19:28

If all clean you're probably okay but keep up the salt baths/iodine. I did it for several weeks. I basically swabbed with huggies cotton wool sheets (for baby cleaning) as they didn't have any bits that could come off. All healed up fine, it knit back together - took about 3 months I think. Doesn't give me any trouble at all now (DD is 23 months). Rx

Novia · 01/03/2015 19:29

Meant to say - I was also on mega-strong codeine tablets so make sure they prescribe those if you need them!

Littlemisssunshine75 · 01/03/2015 19:48

You poor thing Pinkrach, it is so sore when that happens Sad Mine split after dd was born and became infected - there was probably about a 1.5cm gaping hole. I'm in Belgium, so the when the midwife came round to check on us she had a look and (possibly tmi Blush) squeezed out a load of pus. It was actually a lot les painful as soon as she'd done it, although I have to say it wasn't the most pleasant of experiences...
She then recommended a product called Kamillosan, which is a natural product made from the Camomile flower. I had to fill a bowl with hot water (as hot as I could stand) and putting it in the top of the loo, sit with my nether regions in it for at least 10 mins, 3 times a day.
I didn't want to take antibiotics as I get terrible thrush from them, and with this I managed to avoid having to take them as it cleared up after a few days and did heal reasonably quickly. You can tell where it was though, as there's a bit of a dip in the skin now, but it doesn't bother me (dd is 13 months now).
Thinking about it, when it was dry from the Kamillosan I smothered it in Sudocrem, and am convinced that helped too!
Really hope it's less painful soon.

Littlemisssunshine75 · 01/03/2015 19:48

PS the Kamillosan went in the hot water!!

Original poster
Pinkrach · 01/03/2015 20:17

Thanks ladies- I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and hope for the best. I never thought I'd feel so upset about something that I'm not actually ever going to be looking at. I never even considered what would happen after given birth when pregnant- how naive! The recovery is really rough and I haven't felt this down for a long time. I can't wait to get some normality back- like being able to move without being petrified I'll lose more stitches or sitting on the sofa without it hurting. Things like actually leaving the house seem a long way away xxx

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creamoftomato · 01/03/2015 20:30

Ah Pinkrach lots of good advice here and I hope it's helping you feel a bit better. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, your body needs time to heal and there's plenty of time to get out of the house. In a couple of months time this will all feel really really distant and you won't really remember the panic. I know I felt just like you do now but every week it got better and now it's like a dream. In a years time you'll be posting on threads like these telling people it will be fine!

Keep an eye on how you're feeling as well as your stitches. If you're feeling low your GP can help xxx

Original poster
Pinkrach · 01/03/2015 20:38

Thanks creamoftomato- I will keep an eye on it. Perhaps it's a touch of the 'baby blues' compounded by this issue with my stitches. I hope you're right and that it becomes a distant memory - fingers crossed. It's bizarre how you end up feeling about your body- I don't even recognise myself at the minute. Obviously I know that after pregnancy your body changes but I hope I feel better about it in the future xx

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beckworth · 02/03/2015 07:22

I felt exactly the same, we had feeding issues, I think I was traumatised by the birth, and I distinctly remember feeling like the stitches coming away was the last straw- it tipped me right over the edge. But they will heal, and you will feel normal again, I promise. In the meantime, be kind to yourself. Don't feel like you need to have a billion visitors if you don't want, or that you should be out and about doing things. Stay in bed as much as you can, you need to heal!

Original poster
Pinkrach · 02/03/2015 08:25

Thanks Beckworth. I'm seeing the go today so will let you all know how I get on- thanks again to everyone for sharing; it has been reassuring. I think in my head I keep thinking worst case scenario- need to try and stop doing that xx

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Faithope · 02/03/2015 09:05

I had an episiotomy with my ds2 15 months ago. I was bruised from forceps as well and every movement was awful. I noticed every wipe when I went to the loo, my cut was bleeding. I felt it and it felt like it was gapping. So midwife checked it and said that if it hadn't sealed by the time of her next visit, she would refer me back to the hospital. I sat in salt water baths with lavender. I air dried it and hoped it would heal. Thankfully it has. I still feel it isn't normal but it isn't gapping. I am currently 34 weeks pregnant and I am terrified of giving birth again. Down there looks blooming awful as I had a 3rd degree with my first born 16years ago. I dread to think what will happen should I need cutting or if I tear again. Reading this thread has made me feel tons better as I thought I was alone in the cut not healing or being pain free x

Original poster
Pinkrach · 02/03/2015 13:13

Does your cut feel better now faithhope that it has healed? You're brave going for number 3- at this point I can't imagine having anymore. Ever. I've been to see my this morning and she has taken a swab to check for infection but she said it doesn't look infected and is very clean. However, she has given me some preventative antibiotics to make sure it doesn't get infected- I'm to see her again in a week. I guess it's just a waiting game now- just got to hope for the best xxx

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Mariposa10 · 02/03/2015 13:26

My stitches came out too and I was still on painkillers 6 weeks after the birth. I looked things up online and panicked massively, was in tears worrying about not ever healing. But the human body is amazing and it will knit together, I promise. You just have to be patient unfortunately, I'm now 8 weeks post birth and I have little to no pain, and it's all healing up nicely.

I would recommend doing pelvic floor exercises, as they send blood to the area which promotes healing. I had showers using plain water a few times a day and tried to go without pads or underwear as much as poss to let it breathe. Carry on with the painkillers if you need them and sit with your legs together as much as you can. It will get better, it really will!

Original poster
Pinkrach · 02/03/2015 13:31

Thanks mariposa- did u lose all of your stitches or just some? That's the mistake I made, looking it up online. Sent myself into a complete panic about it. How's yours now at 8 weeks? Has it knit together ok? Xx

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Faithope · 02/03/2015 19:14

pinkrach o yes much better, my husband says it looks fine-I can't look :( if anything the 3rd degree tear scar is worse, as in, once you have a cut there, it's never the same obviously. Well I'm not brave-i had to have IVF to have my DS2 which took 10years. This baby bump is a complete and utter, natural surprise ;) so yes it is abit quick after having my ds2 but is ver y much an exciting & scary time.. I have started to feel anxious and worried about what will happen down there this time. I really can't cope with another tear or cut.

Original poster
Pinkrach · 02/03/2015 19:38

Ah, congratulations on your lovely surprise pregnancy faithhope. I'm not surprised you're anxious- I would be to- but a few people on this thread have said that if you've torn once, it doesn't necessarily mean u will again. However, I know if someone said that to me, I'd still be panicking- it's just what I'm like! I think if I ever had another, I would elect for a section. I found my vaginal birth really traumatic to be honest and I know I couldn't do it again. I hope it all goes well for u hun xx

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Faithope · 02/03/2015 19:47

Thank you-shall I report back in a few weeks and let you know? I did think about a section but was told that they will let me try to push this baby out without intervention (unless baby gets destressed) and manage the crowning stage. I am having an epidural this time whereas my other two were just gas and air, as I have a heart condition so they wanted me to do that the other times too but I was stubborn ;) I do have fast labours though so maybe that's why I've had issues.
I meant to say about the fear of going to the toilet-it does get easier and passes. I found holding some tissue on it if I had to do a number two and felt abit weird. Just to make you feel better-I'm 34 weeks gone and now have vulva vericose veins down there as well. At first I thought it was my episiotomy scar splitting open... Midwife assured me that won't happen. O the joys lol

Mariposa10 · 02/03/2015 19:56

Yes mine has knit together after the stitches came out at one end and the midwife said it was gaping. There's a teeny bit of what I think is scar tissue, which I'm going to ask about at my postnatal check this week. But I have virtually no pain any more which is such a relief after not being able to sit down without wincing for ages. Also lean right forward when you wee, I found that helps!

Original poster
Pinkrach · 02/03/2015 19:57

Oh yes, please do update me- I would love to know how u get on. Having babies is so glamorous isn't it? I think I was quite naive about what impact it actually has on your body!! ?? xx

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Original poster
Pinkrach · 02/03/2015 20:12

Thanks mariposa- I'm glad it healed up ok. It gives me hope :) xx

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