Refusing Stitches

[Vicx]

Met someone in a playgroup recently who was telling me she tore during labour but opted not to have stitches and heal naturally.

I didn't even know this was an option! Has anyone else done it or know about it?

Got stitched up all wrong last time and would be interested to learn more.

What degree of a tear did she have?

Have no idea what degree of tear it was but didn't think stitches were optional, assumed they were a necessity!

me - both times - I think I had small 3rd degree tears and midwife said both times they would normally stitch - I said I would see how it went and get it stitched later if needed.

Was absolutely fine both times and never had any problems since.

The reason I refused - I had heard a radio program about people having problems after botched stitching. And also friends saying that the stitching was the worst bit for them.

I tried to refuse stitches after dd2 but was advised to go ahead as it may cause a number of problems including long term bowl incontanance , so i had them but asked for them not to be to tight as with dd1 they did them so tight i was scaired to move

Best to have them i think

I gave birth on the 22/07. 2nd degree tear at home in pool. Tore along route of last epesiotomy and left to heal naturally. Now day 11 and no pain. Had slight problem with old stich that had not disolved from last time.

Midwife assured me I would heal as well as with stiches and I have to say it was no more painful, and now not painful at all.

Better than stiches. Lots of tea tree oil baths, and when it stings so much to pee, sounds gross but just do it in the bath when you have finished.

hmm just googling 3rd degree tears - maybe mine was only second degree - it was 6 years ago - may have misremembered. The tear was the result of DS1 shooting out at top speed - he almost hit the floor - scaring both midwife (who was just coming back into the room after going to get a second midwife for the birth) and dh.

I think most m/w would say they are usually a necessity but as always it depends on the person I actually had two midwives arguing over whether or not I needed any, I chose to go for it as I only needed one

My midwife worked six years in rural Africa. She saw many women who had not been stitched after tearing - and she recommened to me that ALL tears are stitched, even the small one that I had. She said that they heal better when stitched.

She is such a fantastic midwife.

Awful though, Vicx, that you were 'stitched up all wrong'.

I say I was "Stitched all wrong" but i think what i really mean is they stitched me and then pulled the thread to tighten and tie off. Was so unusable small afterwards... It's a wonder I managed to get preg again!

Marne i like you're idea of asking not to be done as tight as last time, will def remember that one post birth!

Tea tree oil baths and washes sounds like a great idea. Is it just the standard tea tree oil fom Boots?

Stories of people not closing up or long term bowl probs is quite worrying. Guess it depends on size and location of the tear.

Gonna quiz the midwife when see her on monday and check my options out as was cut first time and tore last time so doubt will happen again.

vaseline on your bits before a wee and kind of crouching over the toilet helps too.

I had to be cut the first time so what are the probabilities of me having to be cut or tearing this time around? Bearing in mind the last time i gave birth was 17 years ago......

I had stitches and were told they were very neat and excellently done.

I was uncomfortable while they healed and also went down the tea tree oil route. Was told at my check afterwards, that due to the stitches being so good, I had healed perfectly and more quickly that anyone else she'd seen!

The thought of being left with a gaping tear makes me feel queasy (but then I am rather wussy anyway)