How do I know if my episiotomy stitches tore?

Call your midwife or GP if you’ve had an episiotomy or tear and:

1. your stitches get more painful.
2. there’s smelly discharge.
3. there’s red, swollen skin around the cut (incision) or tear – you can use a mirror to have a look.

Can your stitches tear after birth?

After delivery, the doctor or midwife usually closes the perineal tear with stitches. The stitches will dissolve in 1 to 2 weeks, so they will not need to be removed. You may notice pieces of the stitches on your sanitary pad or on the toilet paper when you go to the washroom. This is normal.

Can a perineal tear reopen?

You should be sure to use gentle cleaning techniques for your perineum in order to prevent it from becoming raw, and to keep the tear from reopening. Also, a tear can be reopened with wiping at the toilet, so pat the skin dry from front to back.

What should episiotomy stitches look like?

The stitches are often black but can be other colors or be clear. You will probably be able to see them if you look at the area between your vulva and anus. Dissolvable sutures (also called absorbable sutures) are typically used for an episiotomy.

Will pooping tear my stitches?

If you’ve had stitches or a tear, doing a poo won’t make the tear any bigger, or make your stitches come away. It’s understandable to feel vulnerable about this part of your body. Feeling tense will make it harder for you to do a poo, though.

How do you tell if stitches are healing properly?

The edges will pull together, and you might see some thickening there. It’s also normal to spot some new red bumps inside your shrinking wound. You might feel sharp, shooting pains in your wound area. This may be a sign that you’re getting sensations back in your nerves.

How do I know if my stitches are healing?

The new tissue may look red and may bleed a little. Usually, when the healing process is complete, there will be a red scar for a short while. This will eventually fade like any skin scar. Re-sutured wounds heal a bit faster but there is a small risk that it will become infected again.

How long do episiotomy stitches take to heal?

Most women say they have less pain or discomfort after the first week. Most episiotomies heal in 3 weeks. But it may take longer.

What happens when episiotomy stitches open?

It is rare for the stitches to come undone. But if there is an infection or pressure on the stitches from bleeding underneath can cause the stitches to break, leaving an open wound. This is called perineal wound dehiscence or breakdown. Wound breakdown can cause pain, new bleeding or pus-like discharge.

How long does it take for episiotomy stitches to heal?

When do you need stitches after an episiotomy?

This is when your doctor or midwife makes a cut in your perineum to give your baby more room to come out. Episiotomy recovery and recovery from tears and stitches is usually straightforward but you do need to take good care and look out for infected stitches. What is a vaginal tear and what is an episiotomy?

Why do you have to have an episiotomy if you have a tear?

One of the main reasons for an episiotomy is to avoid tears since it is felt that a clean, surgical cut is easier to repair than a natural tear. Natural tears in the perineum can happen as your baby passes through the vagina. Injury to the perineum can be: Stretching of the skin and small tears may not need repair.

How long does it take for an episiotomy cut to heal?

Episiotomy cuts are usually repaired within an hour of your baby’s birth. The cut may bleed quite a lot at first, but this should stop with pressure and stitches. Stitches should heal within 1 month of the birth. Talk to your midwife or obstetrician about which activities you should avoid during the healing period.

When do episiotomy stitches dissolve on toilet paper?

You may notice pieces of the stitches (appearing as little black specks left behind on the toilet paper) when you wipe yourself. Once you return home from the hospital, you will likely feel tenderness in the area of your perineum. There may be a persistent pain or throbbing sensation, or you may feel an occasional tug or jab. 4