How long does the cervix heal after childbirth. Self-absorbable sutures: types, healing time. Suture treatment after natural childbirth

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During childbirth, a woman receives many microtraumas that do not cause discomfort and heal on their own within a few weeks. But more serious injuries are not uncommon. For example, hemorrhoids or ruptures of the cervix and perineum. Sometimes doctors have to sew up torn tissue. Stitches after childbirth require mandatory care. Otherwise, it can lead to serious problems.

Internal seams

Internal stitches are called, which are superimposed on the cervix or vaginal walls during birth injuries. When stitching these tissues, anesthesia is not used, since the cervix has no sensitivity - there is nothing to anesthetize there. Access to the internal genital organs of a woman is difficult, so the sutures are applied with a self-absorbable thread.

To prevent complications, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene. These include the following activities:

  • Regular change of sanitary napkins.
  • Wearing comfortable underwear that has a loose fit and is made from natural materials. The best option would be special disposable panties. This also applies to towels.
  • Regular hygiene of the genitals with warm water and baby soap. You can use infusions of medicinal herbs, such as chamomile or calendula. It is important to wash yourself after every visit to the toilet.

Internal seams do not require processing. After their imposition, it is only obligatory for a woman to observe the rules of personal hygiene. It is recommended to refrain from sex for 2 months, not to lift heavy objects during this time, to avoid problems with bowel movements. The latter include delayed defecation, constipation, and hard stools. It is useful to take a spoonful of sunflower oil before meals. Usually, a cleansing enema is done before childbirth, so the stool appears on the 3rd day.

The reasons for the rupture of the cervix and the subsequent suturing, as a rule, is the incorrect behavior of the woman during the birth process. That is, when the woman in labor is pushing, and the cervix has not yet opened, the baby's head presses on it, which contributes to the rupture. Often, subsequent suturing after childbirth is facilitated by: an operation on the cervix in the woman's history, a decrease in its elasticity, or childbirth in adulthood.

External seams

External seams are superimposed when the perineum is ruptured or dissected, and those that remain after a caesarean section can also be included here. Depending on the nature of the wound, doctors use either a self-absorbable suture material or one that needs to be removed after a while. External seams require constant care, the absence of which can lead to complications.

While you are in the maternity hospital, the external stitches left after the birth are processed by the procedural nurse. To do this, use a solution of brilliant green or potassium permanganate. After discharge, you will have to deal with daily processing on your own, but you can do it in the antenatal clinic. If non-absorbable threads were used, they will be removed within 3-5 days. As a rule, if there are no problems, this is done before discharge from the hospital.

Precautions to take when caring for external seams:

  • You can not take a sitting position, you can only lie or stand.
  • You can't scratch.
  • Do not wear underwear that will put pressure on the crotch. Loose panties made of natural materials or special disposable underwear are not bad.
  • Do not lift weights for 1-3 months.
  • On the first day after childbirth, defecation should be delayed.
  • For 2 months after giving birth, you should not have sex.

The hygiene rules are the same as for the care of internal seams. To them, you can add the use of special gaskets that have a natural base and coating. They will not cause irritation and allergies, and will promote rapid healing. After a shower, it is advisable to walk a little without clothes. When air enters, postpartum sutures will heal much faster.

Reasons for making an incision in the perineum during childbirth:

  • Threat of rupture of the perineum. Incisions tend to heal faster and cause less inconvenience and negative consequences.
  • Inelastic tissues of the vagina.
  • The presence of scars.
  • Inability to push for medical reasons.
  • Incorrect position of the child or its large size.
  • Rapid childbirth.

How long do postpartum sutures take to heal and is it painful to remove them?

Many women in labor are interested in the question - how long after childbirth the stitches heal. The healing time depends on many factors. These include medical indications, suturing technique, materials used. Postpartum sutures are produced using:

  • Bioabsorbable material
  • Non-absorbable
  • metal brackets

When using absorbable material, healing of the damage takes 1-2 weeks. The stitches themselves dissolve after childbirth for about a month. When using brackets or non-absorbable threads, they are removed 3-7 days after childbirth. Complete healing will take from 2 weeks to a month, depending on the cause of the tears and the size. Large - can heal for several months.

Discomfort at the site of the suture will be felt for about 6 weeks. The first time may be painful. The suture applied after childbirth hurts, just like any surgical one. This usually goes away within 10 days. Suture removal is a virtually painless procedure that should not be feared.

How to handle stitches after childbirth?

The treatment of sutures after discharge from the hospital is carried out either independently or in the antenatal clinic. Hospitals use brilliant green or potassium permanganate. How to smear the seams at home, the doctor will explain. Ointments are usually recommended: solcoseryl, chlorhexidine, levomekol. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used. With proper care and proper processing, the sutures heal quickly, without negative consequences and pronounced cosmetic effects.

How long can you sit?

The minimum period during which you can not take a sitting position is at least 7-10 days. A longer time limit is also possible. This does not include sitting on the toilet while going to the toilet. You can sit on the toilet and walk from the first day after suturing.

What are the complications of sutures

If the stitches are not properly cared for and precautions are not taken during the healing period, complications can occur. This is suppuration, discrepancy and pain in their locations. Let's consider each type of complications in order:

  1. Suppuration. In this case, there are strong pain sensations, there is swelling of the wound, purulent discharge. Body temperature may rise. This outcome is manifested by insufficient attention to personal hygiene or an infection that was not cured before delivery. If you suspect that the stitches are festering, you should immediately consult a doctor who will prescribe the correct treatment.
  2. Pain. This does not apply to painful sensations that occur in the first days after suturing. Pain often indicates an infection, inflammation, or some other problem, so it's best to see a doctor. It is undesirable to self-medicate, only a doctor can prescribe the necessary procedures and medicines for you.
  3. Discrepancy. This rarely happens with internal seams, more often they diverge if located at the crotch. The reasons for this may be early sexual activity after childbirth, infection, too early sitting down and sudden movements. When the seams diverge, a woman is worried about severe pain, swelling of the wound is observed, which sometimes bleeds. Sometimes the temperature rises, which indicates infection. A feeling of heaviness and fullness indicates the presence of a hematoma.

Video: Seam for caesarean section

The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Not always childbirth goes flawlessly, if they are accompanied by ruptures, then the seams are imposed on them without fail. This also applies to cesarean section, but do not worry too much - although the presence of stitches has a certain effect on the quality of life, the body recovers over time. In this situation, how long the stitches dissolve after childbirth is directly related to where they are located.

Seam location

They can be applied both in the vagina, in the perineum or on the cervix.

absorbable materials are used for this, the operation itself is performed either under intravenous anesthesia, or after treatment with Novocaine or Lidocaine. The choice of anesthesia depends on the number of tears and their size. A certain soreness in the area of ​​suturing is present, regardless of whether the crotch or vagina is sutured. In this regard, the sutures on the cervix deliver the least discomfort. Being inside, they are not as painful as the outer seams, palpable with every movement.

Seams in the perineum can be the result of both ruptures and artificial dissection. The latter heal more easily. They also differ in severity.

  • ruptures of the skin of the posterior commissure are considered the easiest;
  • moderate severity in rupture of the skin of the vagina and muscles;
  • the most severe are ruptures, accompanied by injury to the walls of the rectum. In this case, it is best to ask your doctor about how long the stitches heal after childbirth.

How are sutures sewn?

First, the issue of anesthesia is resolved, so do not be afraid that it will be carried out "live". Although often the release of adrenaline into the blood after childbirth is so great that even stitching without anesthesia does not feel as painful as the birth itself. The crotch is sutured in layers, internal injuries are sutured first, then the muscles, and finally the skin. Non-absorbable materials can be used for it. For greater safety, such threads are impregnated with antibiotics so as not to cause an inflammatory process. Removal of superficial sutures is usually carried out even before discharge from the maternity ward. The internal sutures dissolve on their own.

Suture after caesarean section

It deserves special mention. Depending on which incision is made, longitudinal or transverse, the suture can be intradermal cosmetic or nodal. The latter is superimposed during transverse dissection, as it is more durable. In this case, the healing of sutures after childbirth is longer in time. Both types of suture are quite painful, but the internal subcutaneous suture has a more aesthetic appearance. Regardless of which suture is applied, antibiotic therapy is mandatory. A scar is formed on the skin approximately 7 days after the operation, at the same time, the silk external sutures are removed. Internal dissolve themselves, 2-3 months after childbirth, without causing discomfort to the woman in labor. The main problem with stitches after caesarean section is the possibility of adhesion formation. It is impossible to prevent them with a guarantee, but it is believed that an active lifestyle contributes to the normalization of blood circulation and the normal recovery of the body, naturally, within reasonable limits. Therefore, it is recommended to get out of bed as soon as possible, as soon as it is allowed by the doctor, regardless of the soreness in the suture area and the fears associated with its strength.

Suture resorption time

The main indicator of what determines how long the stitches heal after childbirth is the type of threads with which they were made. If the base material for them is catgut, then the duration of the resorption period can vary from a month to four. The place of application and the diameter of the thread also have a significant influence on this. Lavsan threads resolve much faster, from one and a half weeks to two months. Seams with vicryl threads disappear in 2-3 months. Do not confuse the timing of resorption of sutures with the moment of wound healing. For the latter, one and a half to two weeks is enough, while the sutures dissolve much later. If they are not made of threads, but in the form of metal brackets, then removal is indispensable here. Usually the brackets are removed 5-7 days after birth. Do not worry about the pain of this process, most often it causes nothing more than discomfort. The very site of suturing can hurt much longer than the actual removal of sutures after childbirth.

Complications of postpartum wounds

Alas, they also occur and the size of the seam is not the most important indicator here. The most characteristic complication is the divergence of the seams. Most often, this occurs with external seams, and the reasons for this may be as follows:

  • abrupt movements;
  • squats and premature landing;
  • inflammatory processes;
  • sex life.

If the stitches are placed on the perineum, then it is impossible to fully sit down in the first days. In the best case, you can sit on the side of the thigh in order to eliminate the load directly on the suture site. And ideally, it is best to either stand or lie down.

It is not difficult to understand that the removal of stitches after childbirth is not required, since the latter have dispersed. The first sign of this phenomenon is a feeling of inflammation, bleeding or severe discomfort. It is not at all necessary that the seams should “burst”, situations are much more common that, due to the stress experienced, they diverge slightly, become a gateway for infection in this area, and then events develop more than characteristically. First, there is a bursting in the area of ​​​​suture, then inflammation is felt even with palpation, often painful, this process may be accompanied by fever. In especially aggravated cases, purulent discharge may be present, but for their appearance, one must significantly start one's health. Therefore, if there are doubts about the quality of the seam, discomfort in its area, you should not wait for the discharge. A timely visit to the gynecologist will help to avoid many problems in the future, simplify treatment and get closer to the answer to the question of how long the stitches dissolve after childbirth, as close as possible.

Seam care

In a maternity hospital, it is fully assigned to medical workers. The classic scheme is a daily examination, washing with antibacterial drugs, as well as treatment with wound healing drugs. The most characteristic and often used among them is the banal brilliant green. The stitches inside the uterus or vagina do not need special care, but following simple rules that are relevant after childbirth is only welcome. Therefore, in order to avoid infection, one should refrain from sexual activity until the end of the discharge and resorption of the sutures, do not expose them to excessive heat, do not soak. Therefore, you can forget about the bath for the next few weeks, only a shower. Particular attention should be paid to nutrition, since with problems with the stool, excessive exposure to the damaged area is obvious. In order to prevent possible constipation, you need to plan the menu so that it does not contain an excess of flour products. But you should also be more careful with vegetables: indigestion in this situation is categorically superfluous.

Regardless of how many sutures dissolve after childbirth, high-quality intimate hygiene is required. It is advisable to wash the genitals after each visit to the toilet. There are no special requirements for the treatment of sutures after a cesarean section, since it is assumed that doctors discharge a woman from the hospital only after they are finally convinced of the consistency of the suture and other indicators that characterize the normal recovery of the patient.

When does it stop hurting?

The scar after caesarean section becomes little noticeable almost half a year after the suture. Prior to this, sensations of heaviness, spasms and "whining" in this area are quite possible. The stitches in the perineum do not require such a long recovery time, but even here a lot depends on the woman herself and on how clearly she follows the doctor's recommendations. Often there are situations when, even after the resorption of the sutures, a certain dryness and tightness of the vagina is felt, which is most pronounced when making love. Fear of pain can become a significant barrier, but two months after suturing, it is not only possible, but necessary to try. And it is not so important how many sutures dissolve after childbirth, the recommendations of the attending physician and self-confidence are much more important. Despite the fact that the mother's body has undergone significant changes, this is not a reason to deny yourself an intimate relationship. To smooth the situation in the early days will help the use of lubricants and a more careful attitude towards the woman.

Pregnancy and childbirth are difficult tests for the female body. Often, during childbirth, a woman in labor is injured. Some of them heal quickly and leave no traces behind, and some bring a lot of inconvenience to a woman. One of these consequences are tears and incisions, as well as the subsequent application of medical sutures. The wound must be constantly monitored and cared for. Otherwise, complications may arise. How to care for the seams and what to do if they parted?

Types of seams

All seams are divided into:

  1. Internal.
  2. External.

Stitches placed on internal tissues

They are stitches that are placed on the cervix and vaginal walls. The process of applying this type of stitches on the uterus is not anesthetized. There are no muscle endings in this area, so anesthesia is not used. When the vagina is torn, an anesthetic is used. After such operations, surgeons prefer to apply self-absorbable sutures after childbirth.

The sutures placed on the internal organs do not require special treatment. A woman should take a very responsible approach to the observance of the norms of hygienic care for herself.

In order for the wound not to cause problems after the operation, it must be properly looked after. For this:

  • Use daily panty liners. At first, the seam will bleed, and in order not to stain the underwear, it is better to use additional protection.
  • For the healing period, give preference to underwear made from natural materials. It should not cause discomfort, rub or restrict your movements. The best option would be to use disposable panties.
  • Don't forget about hygiene. After the operation, washing should be done regularly (after each toilet). To complete the procedure, choose a gentle remedy. It is best to give preference to baby soap. You can make periodic washing with herbal infusions (for example, chamomile).

In order for the inner seam not to cause trouble for a woman, it is recommended:

  • Abstinence from sexual intercourse for at least two months.
  • Avoid heavy physical activity. Sports activities will have to be postponed for at least two months. Heaviness during this period is also not worth wearing.
  • Pay close attention to your daily toilet. A woman should not experience constipation, retention, or too hard stools. To normalize the process of defecation after childbirth, it is recommended to drink one tablespoon of oil before meals.

The reasons for the imposition of internal sutures are usually the same:

  • Wrong behavior of the woman in labor (main and most frequent). If the uterus is not yet ready for the birth process, and labor has already begun, then the woman has to push. At this point, the break occurs.
  • Previous operation on the uterus.
  • late birth.
  • Decreased elasticity of the cervix.

External seams

This type of suture is applied after childbirth by caesarean section and, if necessary, a perineal incision. Depending on the type and nature of the incision, different threads are used. The most common option is after childbirth.

Reasons for suturing:

  • Low elasticity of the vaginal tissues.
  • Scarring.
  • Prohibition to attempts on the testimony of a doctor. For example, after delivery by caesarean section at the first birth or myopia, a woman cannot push.
  • Incorrect position, large weight or size of the baby. To reduce the risk of tearing, doctors prefer to make a small incision. They heal faster and better.
  • Rapid childbirth. In such a situation, an incision is made to minimize the risk of birth trauma in the baby.
  • The likelihood of rupture of the vagina. With surgery, the healing process is faster and easier.

External seams require constant care and attention. Otherwise, there may be complications. For example, inflammation, suppuration of the seam. It is most often after such complications that women turn to doctors about the fact that the seam has opened after childbirth.

At the maternity hospital, the woman is monitored by nurses and the doctor who performed the operation. The stitches are processed twice a day. If during the operation the doctor used simple threads or staples, then they are most often removed before discharge.

Correct behavior after external sutures

  1. At first, the seam will itch. At the same time, scratching it is strictly prohibited.
  2. When choosing underwear, give preference to natural materials, while the style should be such that it does not hinder movement, and even more so does not rub. It is most convenient to use disposable panties (at least in the early days).
  3. About four to five days after giving birth, a woman has spotting, so you need to use personal hygiene products (pads). You need to change them every one and a half to two hours.
  4. For some time after the operation (two or three days), it is forbidden to get water on the wound. Therefore, the shower can not be taken immediately. When washing, try not to wet the wound. It is best to purchase a special waterproof plaster for seams. You can buy it at any pharmacy.
  5. You will have to give up additional physical activity. Weights can not be lifted from 1 to 3 months.
  6. Sexual life at first will be banned. You will have to refrain for at least two months.
  7. Pay special attention to hygiene. Washing should be done regularly, using gentle hygiene products. After the procedure, be sure to dry the wound. It's good to go without underwear for a while after a shower. Air baths contribute to the speedy healing of wounds.
  8. When suturing the perineum, you can not sit for at least a week and a half.
  9. After discharge, for a few more days, you will have to treat the sutures with an antiseptic (for example, Chlorhexidine or Miramistin).
  10. To reduce the risk of rupture of the stitches, in the first few days you need to follow a diet and monitor the stool. Pushing at this time is not recommended. Food should be soft or liquid. Avoid pastries and sweets. Eat more dairy products. They will help to improve the condition of the intestinal microflora.
  • To prevent the seam from opening after a caesarean section, try to feed the baby in a supine or semi-sitting position.
  • For better wound healing, you can wear a bandage. Instead of a medical device, you can use a flannel baby diaper. Tie it around your belly. This will help form a frame on the weakened area.

In order for the sutures to heal correctly, quickly, and not cause problems and complications, do not forget to visit a gynecologist after returning home. It is advisable to see a doctor a week or two after discharge from the hospital so that he can examine the wound and the degree of its healing.

Suture healing time

Often women ask themselves: how long does the seam heal? Many factors affect the healing rate: the skill of the surgeon, the material used, medical indications, incision technique, and other factors.

Sutures can be applied using:

  • Self-absorbable threads.
  • Regular threads.
  • Use of special brackets.

The material used is of great importance for how long the stitches heal after childbirth. When using the first type of material, wound healing takes one to two weeks. When suturing using staples or conventional threads, the healing period will be an average of 2 weeks - a month. The stitches are removed a couple of days before discharge.

Painful and unpleasant symptoms

If it hurts, don't worry right away. Unpleasant sensations in the suture area will disturb the woman for about one and a half to two months. Pain in the operated area disappear within a week or two. If it hurts for a longer time, then it is better to see a doctor.

For more accurate information, you should talk to the surgeon. He will be able to tell how long the stitches heal after childbirth in your situation.

If in the first days the wound is very disturbing, then do not rush to take painkillers. Not all medications are compatible with breastfeeding. Check with your doctor first.

How to care for a seam at home

Often after childbirth, women go to the hospital with the problem that the seam does not heal after childbirth. Before you discharge a woman in labor, they explain to her, on their own. As a rule, antiseptic solutions are used for such a procedure, such as: Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, hydrogen peroxide. It is possible to use ointments as prescribed by a doctor: Solcoseryl, Levomikol and others. With proper care, the risk of negative consequences is small.

Possible Complications

If the doctor's recommendations and instructions are not followed, if disinfection and suture treatment are neglected, the risk of complications is high. Suppuration, inflammation, divergence of the seam are possible, it happens that the seam bleeds after childbirth.

  1. Suppuration. Signs of the inflammatory process can be: swelling of the wound, redness, high body temperature, discharge of pus from the operated area, weakness and apathy. Such consequences are possible with insufficient care for the seams or non-compliance with the basics of personal hygiene. Attending physicians in such situations supplement home care with the use of tampons with wound healing ointments.
  2. Pain in the seam. The first time after the operation, discomfort is natural. It is worth starting to worry if they continue to disturb for a long time or periodically increase. Similar symptoms may indicate the onset of inflammation or infection of the wound.
  3. The seam came apart after childbirth. Such situations do not occur often, but require the most attention.

The seam came apart after childbirth. What to do?

The divergence of the seams is rare, and the reason for this, as a rule, is the non-observance of precautions. Before discharge from the hospital, the woman is explained how long the suture takes to heal, what rules to follow and how to properly care for the operated area.

Reasons for divergence of seams:

  1. Early sexual activity (it is recommended to abstain for at least two months).
  2. Excessive physical activity (for example, lifting weights).
  3. Failure to comply with the recommendations on the timing when you can not sit.
  4. Infection in the operated area.

Symptoms that the seam has opened after childbirth can be: inflammation, swelling, spotting, pain, high body temperature.

The seam may come apart:

  • partially;
  • fully.

Depending on this, the actions of the attending physician will also be different.

Partial seam divergence

After the operation, a slight divergence of the seam is possible. It's about two or three stitches. This situation does not require emergency surgery. As a rule, the seam is left in the same form, if there is no threat of infection or complete divergence.

Complete divergence of the medical suture

With a complete divergence, its new dissection is required. The stitches are re-sealed. This is done in order to prevent possible infection and the development of the inflammatory process.

Most often, women go to the hospital due to the fact that the seam has completely opened after childbirth, already from home. In such a situation, you should not hesitate, it is better to immediately contact an ambulance. Although a discrepancy is possible and almost immediately after childbirth. Then do not worry, it is better to immediately tell your doctor about the problem. Initially, the wound must be treated with antiseptic solutions, after which re-suturing is performed.

To minimize the risk of discrepancy, a woman should not neglect the established mandatory periods of hospital stay. Don't be in a hurry to run home. Being under the supervision of a doctor and medical staff minimizes the possibility of complications.

Can a suture come apart after a caesarean?

The divergence of the seams after childbirth is rare. If a woman suspects that the seam has opened after a cesarean section, then you should immediately contact the clinic at the place of residence or an ambulance. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose in such a situation after an examination. If the inner seam has come apart, then re-suturing is no longer carried out.

If the outer seam began to diverge, then the woman herself can detect the symptoms (signs). Signs of seam divergence after surgery:

  • bloody discharge from the wound;
  • pain aggravated by sitting and standing;
  • temperature rise.

If you have a seam open after childbirth, the doctor will tell you what to do. You need to go to the hospital immediately. If the outer seam diverges, the doctor re-suturing. In this case, after the procedure, a course of antibiotics is prescribed in order to prevent the development of inflammation. Unfortunately, after treatment, the woman is forced to stop breastfeeding, because the drugs accumulate in the body and are passed on to the baby with milk.

If your stitches open after childbirth, the consequences will only manifest themselves in the fact that this fact will be taken into account in subsequent pregnancies and childbirth.

Conclusion

Stitching after the birth of a child is a fairly common procedure. You shouldn't be afraid of her. With proper wound care and following the doctor's recommendations, the wound will heal quickly, and the scar will become barely noticeable over time.

After the birth of a child, a woman faces many troubles and their consequences. One of these problems, which brings considerable discomfort to the mother, is the seam after childbirth. It is characterized by constant anxiety, complications in the form of suppuration or inflammation.

How many stitches heal after childbirth cannot be said with accuracy. For each situation, this period is individual. He stops bothering someone after a few days, someone suffers for a couple of months. Doctors are sure that proper care and proper manipulations will help to significantly speed up the process in time. Depending on the type of thread used, care should be different, but always thorough and regular.

Joints that can be very painful exist in several forms: on the perineum, on the cervix, and in the vagina. They are outside and outside. Connections of fabrics in separate zones occur with all kinds of threads. It is important to find out how best to take care of them and what features they have.

If on the cervix:

  • occur during the birth of a large child;
  • the doctor does not use an anesthetic drug, as the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe uterus loses sensitivity for a while;
  • absorbable materials are used: PHA, vicryl, catgut, caproag and others;
  • no need to remove and process anything, after a few days they resolve themselves;
  • You do not have to worry about the complexity of care or the likelihood of complications.

If on the perineum:

  • occur with the natural birth of a child or during the intervention of a surgeon;
  • the depth of the incision requiring suturing may be different (only the skin is damaged, except for the skin, the muscles are also affected, or the depth of the damage reaches the rectum);
  • lidocaine - an anesthetic in such cases;
  • for a long time they are disturbed by unpleasant sensations, then in a day the pain will not go away;
  • self-absorbable threads are not used, silk and nylon materials are popular in use;
  • for quick healing, you need to move less, monitor the cleanliness of the body and treat the damaged areas with a special antiseptic.

If in the vagina:

  • are due to birth injuries, as well as gaps of varying degrees and depths;
  • relieve pain in the power of novocaine and lidocaine;
  • stitches on damaged tissue are performed with catgut;
  • malaise worries for several days;
  • no special care is required for this area.

External ones are much more painful than internal ones and heal longer; they need careful and timely care.

Ignoring this requirement will lead to various complications (inflammation, suppuration, infection).

overgrowth rate

When will the stitches dissolve after application? Do the threads fall off on their own after healing? How long does it take for the internal stitches imposed by the doctor to dissolve? Young mothers are concerned about these and other issues.

There are several points that affect the speed of dealing with unpleasant symptoms:

  1. Self-absorbable sutures after childbirth have an impressive healing rate, taking a couple of weeks. Scars return to normal after a month and do not require additional manipulations.
  2. It is impossible to say with accuracy how long the external seams will disturb after application. When they are applied, other materials are used, the reaction of the body to which cannot be completely predicted. Stitches are removed after 5 or 6 days, tissue tightening does not occur quickly and takes different times - from two weeks to one month.
  3. The entry of microbes or infections into an open area can significantly slow down the healing process. To avoid this problem, you should carefully monitor the cleanliness of your body, as well as avoid intimate relationships with a partner (sex is the main cause of infection and increases the risk of infection for a girl in the first time after the birth of a child).

How to take care of yourself

Experienced mothers know how to speed up the process of restoring external seams after childbirth, having in their arsenal: special-purpose creams and gels, rinsing wounded surfaces with decoctions of herbs and flowers (do not forget about the healing properties of chamomile, sage, calendula), the use of antiseptics and antibacterial soap without fragrances and dyes.

On your own, you can speed up the recovery process and improve your general condition by following simple rules:

  1. Make sure that the clinic workers treat the problem area with a solution of potassium permanganate or other available means twice a day.
  2. Remember to change sanitary pads as needed.
  3. Buy disposable special underwear or give preference to soft and natural fabrics.
  4. If you want to quickly return a flat stomach, at first it is forbidden to wear tight panties, which tend to put some pressure on the organs and disrupt blood circulation.
  5. Do not sit (especially on a soft surface) to eliminate the risk of breaking the connection.
  6. It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of the intimate area, using clean running water, antibacterial soap (or shower gel).
  7. If you can’t shower and wash thoroughly, you can purchase unscented antibacterial wet wipes or a clear antiseptic spray and use them in extreme cases.
  8. It is necessary not to forget to empty yourself, this will help to slightly relieve the load and aching sensations.
  9. It is important to eat right and drink plenty of water to prevent constipation and other gastrointestinal problems.
  10. Forget about sugar, pastries and carbonated drinks, such food slows down the healing process of the skin.
  11. The attending physician is obliged to give his recommendations to the patient regarding the care of damaged junctions. Such advice must be followed in order to avoid complications in the future.
  12. Forget about lifting weights.

If a woman begins to adhere to these tips, the recovery process will be much faster and safer. But, if you do not listen to your body and ignore its signals in every possible way, you can learn from your own experience about a number of complications that are possible at this stage.

The likelihood of complications

For some reason, it happens that for a long time after surgery, the mother still feels severe pain, itching, or notices bleeding. The following manifestations may alert:

  • healing of scars occurs very slowly or does not occur at all, attacks of cutting sensations are disturbing (warming procedures and ointments are prescribed);
  • stitches previously applied with threads diverge (self-treatment is contraindicated, an urgent need to call a doctor; it is recommended either to re-apply the threads, or to use ointments and suppositories on your own);
  • worried about severe itching and burning (do not worry, this is a natural phenomenon; it is recommended to rinse the skin with a little warm water more often and take a prone position);
  • festering of the wound occurs: brown or green discharge should be alerted, as well as a sharp and unpleasant odor (a very dangerous symptom that requires intervention by a doctor);
  • bleeding occurs after lifting heavy or sitting (requires a doctor's consultation, possibly re-suturing).

If the stitches after childbirth hurt for a very long time, violating the standard terms, and the sensations are unbearable, you should urgently seek medical help from an experienced specialist.

When and how to film

If the complications are bypassed and everything proceeds within the normal range, the superimposed stitches are removed on the 5th-6th day, this date is agreed in advance with the doctor. When a mother and baby stay longer in the maternity hospital, the procedure is carried out right there, if they were discharged earlier, it is necessary to arrive at the appointed time. Given the pain threshold of the patient, the medical professional has the right to suggest the use of anesthesia, but this is extremely rare. Removal should not cause discomfort, since everything has already healed. All mom feels is a slight burning and tingling sensation.

You should not be afraid of this, everything is already behind. The main thing is competent self-care before that, regular visits to doctors and attentiveness to yourself and your own health. Cleanliness, peace, less stress, examinations by a doctor are simple requirements, but mandatory points that should be followed.

But even when a certain complication has been discovered, there is no need to panic and despair. Timely help of a specialist will easily eliminate the problem that has arisen in a fairly short period of time.

When a child is born through natural routes, doctors sometimes have to resort to perineotomy or episiotomy - a cut of tissue from the entrance to the vagina towards back to the rectum or at an angle to the midline. Stitches on the perineum after childbirth require special attention of physicians and compliance with some recommendations by the young mother.

Read in this article

Why are stitches

Perineotomy is an operation that protects the mother and helps the child to be born. In the second stage of labor, excessive stretching of the tissues of the perineum may occur, there is a threat of its rupture. This happens in such cases:

  • high crotch;
  • tissue stiffness in women giving birth for the first time after 30 years;
  • scars after previous births;
  • the position of the child during childbirth, when he is facing the perineum with his forehead or face (extensor presentation);
  • the use of obstetric forceps or vacuum extraction of the fetus;
  • large fruit;
  • rapid childbirth;
  • premature eruption of the head with improper delivery by a midwife.

A straight-edged incision heals better than a tear. Therefore, a dissection of the perineum is performed, followed by suturing after the birth of the child. Wound suturing is performed for its speedy healing.

Precautions in behavior after the incision

The length of tissue dissection is about 2-3 cm; after suturing, the incision heals quickly. To prevent this process from slowing down and becoming more complicated, a young mother should take some precautions:

  • on the first day after childbirth, you should only lie down;
  • it is allowed to stand and walk already from the second day, for example, a woman should eat at a special high table, which is in the dining room of the maternity hospital;
  • you can sit only 3 days after removing the stitches or 2 weeks after childbirth, first on chairs and only then on a soft bed or sofa;
  • feed the newborn should be lying on the bed;
  • properly care for the perineum;
  • avoid constipation;
  • wear cotton non-tight underwear.

When are stitches removed after childbirth? This usually happens a week or earlier after the baby is born. Thus, a woman should be careful in the first 14 days of the postpartum period.

If the sutures are applied using a bioabsorbable material, then they do not need to be removed. The woman is discharged home at the usual time, the synthetic threads in the incision area completely disappear after a few weeks. Nodules disappear within 2 weeks after birth.

Proper care of the intimate area and seams

How to handle stitches on the perineum after childbirth? The use of special antiseptic agents is not required. After visiting the toilet, a woman should wash herself with warm boiled water in the direction from the perineum to the anus and dry the skin with a clean cloth or paper towel. After washing, it is recommended to lie on the bed for some time without a pad, so that the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe seams dries well.

It is also necessary to change postpartum pads at least every 2 hours to prevent infection.

When following these simple tips, the incision in the perineum is not dangerous. After it, only a small scar remains. If a cosmetic suture was applied, then traces of it are practically invisible.

The use of drugs for the care of sutures is required when healing is slow or complications develop. These drugs must be prescribed by a doctor. Treatment with chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide is usually used, ointments are less often recommended - Levomekol, Vishnevsky Ointment, Solcoseryl, products with panthenol.

Recovery Exercises

To speed up tissue repair, you can perform special exercises. It should be remembered that before the removal of the stitches, it is impossible to carry out exercises with abduction (breeding) of the legs.

In the first two days, exercises are performed lying in bed. They include bending the legs at the ankle joints, and then at the knees. In the future, raising the pelvis with support on bent legs joins. Breathing exercises are also helpful. The duration of the lessons is 15 minutes.

In the following days, gymnastics is performed while standing and its duration increases to 20 minutes. Turns and shallow torso bends, standing on toes, light squats are added. Periodic contraction of the sphincter of the anus during the day and attempts to temporarily stop the stream of urine during urination are shown. Such exercises help to restore blood supply to tissues and speed up healing.

Causes of divergence of seams

In some women, however, there is a divergence of the seams after suturing the incision of the perineum. The reason for this is the woman's non-compliance with the recommendations on the regimen:

  • getting out of bed early;
  • prolonged sitting during the first week after childbirth;
  • incorrectly performed exercises during gymnastics.

In addition, the seams diverge when the postoperative wound becomes infected.

Symptoms to watch out for

If a woman has pain in her stitches after giving birth, she should tell her doctor. This is one of the main symptoms of non-healing wounds. In addition, signs of trouble can be:

  • bleeding from the incision;
  • a feeling of fullness in the perineum;
  • tissue swelling;
  • fever, chills, weakness;
  • purulent discharge;
  • formations under the skin in the form of tubercles or cones.

In all these situations, it is necessary to contact the antenatal clinic. Otherwise, the sutures will hurt for a very long time, and after the wound has healed, the deformation of the walls of the vagina and perineum will remain.

Methods for correcting abnormal skin fusion

The perineum is usually sutured with two rows of sutures: the first is superimposed on the muscles, and the second on the skin. If only the superficial suture has parted, measures are taken to prevent infection (treatment with chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, brilliant green and other antiseptics), re-suturing is not carried out.

If a woman really has the whole seam open, then purulent inflammation usually becomes the cause. In this case, there is severe pain, fever, purulent discharge. In this case, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, it is likely that surgical treatment of the wound will be required.

With a significant deformation remaining after a parted deep seam, it is further shown.

So, stitches on the perineum after childbirth are superimposed for the speedy healing of the tissue incision. Subject to the rules of care and careful attitude of a woman to her health, her well-being quickly returns to normal. If disturbing symptoms appear, you should seek help from a gynecologist.

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