Episiotomy stitches help

[AmberM2022]

I gave birth 8 days ago, and had to have an episiotomy. They have been soo painful and they do not seem to be healing in the slightest. When they were checked on day 2 midwife said all looked great but i was still swollen. But now after looking they are bleeding fresh blood and i’m in agony. Is this normal or does this mean they are infected? I’m doing everything i can to help them heal but starting to feel really down and depressed with them. The fresh red blood just keeps on coming out of them!

You need to seek proper medical advise.

Are you sure it's not lochia you're looking at?

Regardless, get checked.

It took a while for my stitches to heal. I don’t remember how long (maybe 2 weeks). Are you putting cold pack or a covered ice pack down there? It will help with pain, swelling and bleeding.

If you are worried go see a doctor just to be on the safe side.

Actually if you are in agony then I think you need to see a doctor. I just re read your post and I don’t think you should be in such a high level of pain 8 days later.

Hope you feel better soon. 💐🌺🌸

Get them checked if they are bleeding just in case something has torn. Do you have any more midwife appointments where they could check for you? I will say mine went from being uncomfortable to very scratchy and sore and then finally by week two they no longer bothered me but there was a phase between week 1 and 2 where I asked for them to be checked. They were so uncomfortable and I thought it couldn't be right but they said it was healing well.

I’d get them checked but my stitches were still bloody sore and bleeding at 8 days pp… I think by 14 days they were starting to feel better .. cooling products helped as did witch hazel xx

My stitches after episiotomy took around 4 weeks to heal. So many people told me you'll be fine in a few days, that information made it so much harder to deal with the pain because I wasn't expecting it to last so long. I couldn't sit down properly for weeks after giving birth. I did ask my midwives to check every time that nothing was wrong, so I advise you do that.

My stitches ruptured and I did need antibiotics for an infection. If you have a midwife appointment coming up, speak to them. Otherwise I was advised to go to the hospital - where I am there was a unit that went up to a certain number of weeks postpartum. Look at info you might have from your hospital to find the number. I had to wait a few hours but I was able to drop in and see someone that afternoon.

Thanks for all your messages! I did infant have an infection and also a very sore painful graze i didn’t know i had. Oh the joy of birth! I have had antibiotics and it only took 2/3 days to feel loads better!

So glad you got medical attention and that you are feeling better now 😊