If the sutures on the cervix fester. The seam came apart after childbirth: what to do, how to handle? How long do stitches heal after childbirth

During labor, women experience ruptures of the vagina, perineum. Sometimes the obstetrician has to make special incisions. The situations do not seem complicated, stitches are applied after childbirth, proper care helps to heal them faster.

Breaks are divided into external and internal. They are sewn with different materials, depending on the type of seam, the mother receives recommendations for care. External dissections are carried out on the perineum. Internal are made on the cervix, in the vagina. When labor activity took place with the help of cesarean, postoperative ones are superimposed on the anterior wall of the abdominal cavity.

The stitches in the perineum are made due to natural gusts, artificial incisions. The first refers to damage to the perineum during the birth process, the second is the breaks made by the gynecologist.

3 types of seams:

  • 1 degree;
  • 2 degrees;
  • 3 degrees.

The first type is used when dissecting only the skin. In the second, muscle fibers are affected. In the third, damage touches the walls of the rectum. Sew up gaps and incisions under the influence of a local anesthetic.

As a suture material, catgut, nylon, silk thread is used. The only drawback is the pain, the external seams after childbirth heal for a long time. It is necessary to remember the rules of hygiene, regularly do the treatment with antiseptic agents.

The cause of the rupture on the cervix is ​​a large fetus, when sutured, anesthesia is not performed. For some time, the reproductive organ remains insensitive after childbirth. Of the suture materials, catgut, vicryl, caproag are used, they dissolve on their own, the threads are not removed.

Advantages:

  1. insensitive;
  2. there is no discomfort;
  3. no complications occur.

Self-absorbable sutures do not require special treatment. How long the stitches heal after childbirth depends on blood clotting, individual characteristics, the health of the body, and the quality of care.

A suture after a caesarean is a must. They make it at the bottom of the uterus, an incision up to 12 cm in size. Today, cosmetic incisions are practiced, which are invisible after healing.

Vaginal ruptures occur at different depths due to trauma during labor. The stitching site is anesthetized with Lidocaine, Novocaine. Sewn with catgut. The pain persists for several days. This type of incision does not require special care.

Treatment

Internal adhesions do not require special care, they do not disturb the woman in labor. When the rules of hygiene are observed, the mother does not lift weights, the healing of postpartum sutures will pass quickly and painlessly. They are made with absorbable threads. Special treatment is not required, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene, limit physical activity.

Healing of the sutures lasts 2-4 weeks if the wounds are small. Deep tears take a long time to heal. The obstetrician after the examination will indicate the recovery time. During this time, it is necessary to follow the recommendations so that an infectious infection does not occur.

Next, postpartum sutures are processed on the perineum while the woman in labor is in the hospital. Use potassium permanganate, greenery. The gasket needs to be changed every 2 hours. A woman should wear loose cotton underwear, which prevents rapid healing. Wash your face every couple of hours, use intimate hygiene products. Do not overdry the skin, gently aim the water jet at the seam so that it does not disperse. Having wet the spike with a towel after a shower, walk around without underwear for a while.

How long does it take for external stitches to heal after childbirth? The threads completely dissolve in 5-7 days.
Internal scars do not disturb the woman in labor and do not require treatment. Breaks heal painlessly. If you wash yourself in time, there will be no discomfort.

Stitches after caesarean deserve great attention. After surgery, the scars are cared for by a nurse. Spikes are treated with antiseptics, make a bandage. After 7 days, the threads are removed, processing continues. If the pain at the site of stitching does not go away, healing is delayed. You may need to change your skin care product.

Healing

It is forbidden to perform physical activity, sit down, lift heavy things until the stitches heal after childbirth. The recovery time for each woman in labor is different.

  • the size of the gaps;
  • courtship;
  • general health indicators;
  • materials;
  • technology.

If you use natural materials, the stitches after childbirth heal quickly. They dissipate within a couple of weeks. Non-absorbable threads, metal brackets are removed immediately before discharge from the maternity hospital. The seam heals for a long time, 2 weeks - a month.

How to understand that the seams after childbirth have healed:

  1. discomfort disappears after a couple of weeks;
  2. during healing, a scar is formed that tightens the edges of the wound;
  3. the pain goes away, a feeling of relief comes;
  4. in a sitting position, nothing bothers.

The perineum heals longer than the uterus, vagina. Full healing takes up to 6 weeks. Care must be meticulous. In order for the sutured wound not to hurt, rest is needed. For stitching, different techniques are used.

Non-decomposing threads are used from materials, they are removed before discharge. The stitches on the perineum after childbirth are not closed with bandages. Excretions create a favorable environment for microbes with poor care. There are discrepancies in stitched places, complications.

How to speed up the healing of tears after childbirth:

  • keep the wound dry;
  • wear cotton spacious panties, disposable underwear;
  • postpone the stool for the first days after labor, make sure that it is soft;
  • do not rush to sit down;
  • do exercises that stimulate blood flow to the organs;
  • make herbal infusions, cold compresses.

For the first month, try to lie more. The healing time depends on the mother's careful attitude to wounds. If microbes get in, stitched tears during childbirth will disperse again.

Stitches after cesarean

There are several types of seams. Which one to do depends on the course of labor. A vertical scar is the result of a sudden surgical intervention with heavy bleeding. It is rarely done, starts from the navel, ends in the pubic area. It is not beautiful in appearance, thickens over time.

A horizontal incision is made under the pubis during a planned operation. The abdominal cavity is not opened, it is made inside the fold. The scar is neat, continuous due to the special overlay technique. Over time, it becomes invisible.

The speed of healing and the features of care directly depend on the suture made. Pain in the wound area disturbs the woman for almost 3 weeks after surgery. For the first few days, the mother takes painkillers.

When you have to move around, the stomach is tied up with a diaper or a bandage is put on. No need to track down. Moderate activity is aimed at reducing the uterus, the cosmetic suture heals faster after childbirth. Walking in the corridor improves bowel function, serves as a prophylaxis with a lochiometer.

When the woman in labor is in the maternity hospital, a nurse takes care of her, processes the sewn place, puts on a clean bandage. It is necessary to ensure that during washing, the liquid does not fall on the scar. Wash gently in the shower, do not use a washcloth. Baths are contraindicated for the first time.

If the seams on the outer lips have not completely healed after childbirth, it is recommended to wear light, spacious, breathable underwear. Tight fitting will cause injury. High-waisted cotton trousers are considered a good option. While at home, it is categorically impossible to lift weights in the first months.

Complications

Healing is delayed when a woman feels pain for a long time, feels discomfort. Often, pain is a signal of complications that have appeared. Medical intervention cannot be delayed. Therefore, the mother should listen to the body, control the healing process, if anything goes wrong, inform the obstetrician. When the pain is not associated with pathology and no problems are identified during the examination, warming up is prescribed.

Heating method:

  • start a couple of weeks after labor;
  • apply quartz, infrared rays;
  • warming up lasts 5 - 10 minutes;
  • carried out in the clinic, at home.

If the scar has dispersed while at home, do nothing. Call a doctor. You will most likely need to re-suture. If the adhesion is already tightened, treatment of the examined area is required, the appointment of healing ointments.

Often, burning occurs as a complication. The woman complains that the scar itches. Do not worry, itching is considered a sign of healing. An unpleasant situation can be alleviated by washing with not hot water. When drawing pains are observed in the region of the seam, they are associated with the transfer of weights, an early desire to sit down. Suppuration is manifested by unpleasant secretions. Often they are confused with the recovery period of menstruation.

Symptoms of suppuration:

  • bad smell;
  • brown-green discharge.

If a woman saw the described signs, you should contact the clinic. In case of infection, antibiotics will be prescribed. The inflammatory process needs prompt medical intervention. When scars fester, do not self-medicate, the gynecologist will prescribe the correct treatment.
What to do if the stitches do not heal after childbirth:

  1. treatment with antiseptics;
  2. move less;
  3. observe personal hygiene;
  4. protect yourself from carrying heavy loads;
  5. make sure that the stool is soft, do not push.

If in the first weeks the main rule is violated: do not sit down, the scar may bleed. The seam does not heal due to stretched tissues, the tear surface has opened. It will need a crossover.

If you follow all the recommendations, the sutures heal quickly, there are no complications. Cosmetic plastic is selected depending on the incision, individual characteristics. Ruptures occur frequently during labor and are not regarded as difficulties. Obstetricians make stitches competently, professionally. Subsequently, the scars become invisible, do not cause any discomfort.

In this article, I will tell you in detail everything about the seams after childbirth, how to properly care for them, how to handle them. I will also talk about the healing time and the consequences. The article will be very useful for mothers of any age.

Stitches in women who are about to give birth come in several forms. Let's look at them in more detail.

Stitches in the vagina

Such sutures are applied in case of various kinds of damage directly in the female vagina itself. When suturing wounds, catgut threads are used. Anesthesia will be carried out with the help of novocaine or lidocaine, the second drug is a little stronger.

Self-absorbable sutures will be used after childbirth, they will not need to be removed, since the threads will come out on their own in a couple of weeks. So if you find a thread, do not be alarmed, it means that the process of healing the sutures is going well, and the threads gradually begin to come out.

There is one small drawback, such a seam will hurt for two to three days, this is normal. Care is not required, as these are internal seams after childbirth.

Stitches on the cervix

The cause of the stitches on the uterus is most often a large baby. No one will anesthetize this procedure for you, because after childbirth, the cervix, for some time, simply ceases to be sensitive, and you will not feel pain.

Inner seams after childbirth will not cause you any inconvenience, nor will there be any bad sensations at all. Complications are also not observed. The sutures are applied with absorbable threads, it is not necessary to remove the sutures.


Seams at the crotch

Perhaps, if we compare the sensations of pain when using stitches in different places, the stitches on the perineum after childbirth will be characterized as those that cause the most painful feelings.

External seams after childbirth bring most of the problems and inconvenience to young mothers. Very often they cause inflammation and suppuration, so these stitches should be the most careful care.

The cause is a rupture of the perineum, during childbirth, or an incision in the perineum by a gynecologist. Anesthesia, in most cases, is done with lidocaine. If the incision is not deep, then the seam will be made with catgut threads, if the incision is deep, then nylon or silk threads will be used. Such sutures will need to be removed by a doctor after a certain time, as the wound itself heals.


Suture healing time

How many stitches heal after childbirth is not possible to say for sure. For each woman, this happens in different ways, depending on the complexity, and in general the woman's body.

How long do sutures dissolve after childbirth?

Seams after catgut threads heal much faster than seams after nylon or silk threads. If a in the first case, the threads can come out in five to six days, and the scars themselves will dissolve within two weeks, then in the case of other threads, at best, the sutures will be removed after a week and the scar will take a very long time to heal, up to three months.

Even after healing, such a scar in many women becomes sensitive to changes in the weather and aches and hurts very much at such times. In order for the scar to heal as quickly as possible, you should carefully monitor your hygiene.

Because if dirt gets into the wound, the healing period can increase significantly and the woman will again acquire pain and inflammation.


Seam processing

How to process stitches after childbirth so that they heal as quickly as possible, every mother who has experienced such a procedure is puzzled by this question. After all, they all want to return to a normal lifestyle as soon as possible and quickly get rid of annoying pain in such a tender place.

This is the first question you should ask your doctor. It is the doctor who will give professional advice and teach you how to avoid all the worst consequences after childbirth.

Of course, after the stitches, you need to try to move less so that there is no pressure and tension on the stitches. This will help them heal faster. Be sure to observe personal hygiene and treat the seams with antiseptic agents.


Here are some tips that will help you a lot when caring for your stitches:

  • The outer scar should be washed very thoroughly with warm water and soap, twice a day, morning and evening.
  • Washing yourself after every visit to the toilet is a must!
  • Change the gasket every one and a half to two hours so that there is as little moisture accumulation as possible. After all, it is precisely because of the constant moisture that the seams heal for so long.
  • Linen should only be loose. Nothing dragging, in no way overpressing.
  • You can not sit if the stitches are placed on the perineum. It is recommended to begin to sit down little by little after two weeks. If a woman, contrary to the advice and guidance of a doctor, nevertheless sits down, firstly, it will be extremely painful and unpleasant, and secondly, the seam will simply disperse.
  • Be sure to purchase funds at the pharmacy, but you need to be very careful if your mother is breastfeeding. In this case, the best option would be to buy candles for constipation. Do not eat foods that can lead to constipation. Before each meal, you can drink a teaspoon of ordinary vegetable oil. This will prevent constipation and other unnecessary problems.
  • In no case should a woman lift weights weighing more than three kilograms. This can also lead to inflammation and rupture of the seams. Family and friends should be aware of this.

Such basic tips will allow mommy to get in shape and feel better as soon as possible.


What should be done if the seam still parted after childbirth?

First of all, you should not solve this problem on your own, at home. Such actions can only make things worse. It certainly will not lead to a positive result. You need to call a doctor immediately.

If the doctor diagnosed the divergence of the sutures, but the wound has already healed, then re-suturing is not required. If the wound is still not sewn up, then you will have to re-suture, and in this case, the doctor may prescribe wound healing ointments.

Complications with suturing

Even after some time, after suturing, a woman may feel pain and discomfort. Feeling pain after childbirth, stitches are an integral part of a woman's recovery.

If there are no complications during a visit to the doctor, then warming up the sutures may be prescribed. This procedure is very effective and quickly helps to relieve pain. Also, ointments for healing sutures will help relieve pain. You should also consult with your gynecologist about the use of such ointments.

How do they look on the perineum after childbirth. This is a feeling of painful compaction, something like adhesions. A seam two to three centimeters long may seem very large and scary to a woman. Especially if it hurts a lot. The seal may appear thick and ugly. A woman should be ready for this.


What should be paid special attention to?

We talked about the divergence of the seams. But there are still quite a few factors that should be monitored after suturing. After being discharged home, you may find that the wound is bleeding. It could be from a seam split.

If suddenly the internal seams began to hurt, sensations of severe pain in the perineum, accumulation of blood, hot skin in the wound area, rose, immediately to the doctor, immediately. Usually, this all happens in the maternity hospital in the first three days, after being discharged home, this should not happen, this is no longer normal.

Strange painful sensations can disturb for a very long time, after the stitches have healed. Painful sensations are pursued during sexual intercourse with a man, because the vagina narrows from the stitches, making it painful for the woman in labor. Let's take a closer look at this topic.


Sex after childbirth. Stitches, do they interfere with intimacy?

How many days after giving birth can I have sex? The answer is no! At least in a month, not before. Of course, you need to wait for the stitches to heal and the moment when the blood stops flowing.

This is a necessary rule, it should be followed. If you do not follow these recommendations, then having sex can cause an inflammatory process in the woman's uterus, as well as bleeding. The resumption of intimate life earlier than in a month will cause great harm to the health of a woman, for example, the process of recovery of the body will slow down.

In almost all women there is a slight desire for sex. There are reasons for that. Women are afraid to experience pain during sexual intercourse, there is a fear that they consider themselves ugly after childbirth, and their man is with them just out of pity.

After the birth of a baby, a woman, as if by a click, has a maternal instinct. During this period, the husband may completely cease to interest his wife. In most cases, sexual desire in women disappears for a month, or even more.


In this case, a man should only wait until this desire returns to his beloved. You should be softer and not insist, as a woman may have a complete aversion to sex.

The maternal instinct completely interrupts the female libido and it is not possible to do anything about it, this is nature. Therefore, if a man is affectionate and courteous, then this period will pass faster. Also, the desire of a woman in terms of intimacy is very strongly influenced by psychological factors. The fear of being hurt again is a woman's greatest fear. In my head, it’s like wedged and a ban is put on sex.

A woman may want sex, but fear will block her desire. This should also be understood and accepted. Often, when a man begins to put pressure, be offended, the woman closes herself from him even more and the fear becomes stronger. This time you just need to survive, it passes. It just needs to be taken care of. Help with the baby, support in everything.

Using the example of other women I know, I can say that everything listed in this article has a place to be.

Personally, I had two births, sewed up twice. The first time the fetus was very large, and the doctors made an incision. Without anesthesia, it hurts terribly. They sewed up catgut threads, which after a couple of weeks came out on their own. But after the first birth, for about two months, I could not sit, while the doctors said that it would be possible to sit down in a month.


Didn't sit down. I couldn't because of the pain. Even moved around the house bent over, it was painful to straighten up. Every woman is different. For someone, a month is enough for a complete recovery, someone suffers for quite a long time. For about a year, the stitches hurt at every change in the weather, nothing helped. With the second child, everything went much easier.

The incision was not made, it itself was torn along the old scar. Sewn up with novocaine anesthesia. But this anesthesia did not save me at all, I felt all the pain, as for the first time. But, the most remarkable thing is that after giving birth, after just a day, I was able to sit slightly sideways, and after two weeks I was already sitting quietly at home, without pain and other unpleasant sensations.

It is best to process the seams at home with green paint. Not much, of course, pinches. But quickly dries the wound and heals. To avoid constipation, you can use glycerin suppositories.

You can speed up the healing of the seams with the help of several exercises at home. The most effective is the retention of the urine stream, while the muscles of the vagina are reduced.

The tension should be held for about 5-7 seconds, with a repetition of 7 times. You can also relax and tighten the muscles of the pelvis. The exercises are beautiful in their simplicity and effectiveness. Easy and bring the expected effect.

Of course, you should unquestioningly follow the instructions of doctors.


But it often happens that a woman herself, according to her feelings, understands how and what needs to be done. After all, everyone knows their body better than any doctor. The article contains the most relevant and essential tips for caring for stitches after childbirth.

But don't forget about your body. If you are tormented by aching pain, without fever and other other symptoms, do not rush to the doctor. When examining your wound, the doctor himself may stir up your stitches, thereby causing you pain and discomfort.

You should consult a doctor if the wound is festering, there is a painful burning sensation in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe seams, a swollen scar is felt. Then do not delay and seek help from a specialist.

If you take care of your health, then your body will thank you. Take care of your stitches after childbirth, follow the rules of personal hygiene. The first time after childbirth is the most difficult for a woman and for all her household members.

A man must understand his woman, understand her postpartum state, accept her as a whole. By following these tips, you will soon be able to start an ordinary, wonderful life!

One of the most common complications during childbirth is ruptures during childbirth of the soft tissues of the birth canal, which include the cervix, vagina, perineum, and external genitalia. Why is this happening and is it possible to avoid seams? In fact, it is impossible to single out any one reason for the gaps. But some of them can be affected.

First of all, it must be remembered that only healthy tissues have sufficient elasticity and extensibility. The inflamed tissue is fragile and edematous, therefore, with any mechanical action, it does not stretch, but breaks. So, any inflammation of the genital organs the day before can lead to ruptures during childbirth. Therefore, about a month before giving birth, every woman should undergo an examination and take a smear for microflora. When inflammation is detected, treatment is prescribed with subsequent monitoring of its effectiveness. Another reason for the decrease in tissue elasticity is previous trauma (scar tissue does not contain elastic fibers and is therefore practically inextensible). So, if a perineal incision was performed during previous births, as a rule, during subsequent births, this is also indispensable.

Rapid delivery, the lack of coordinated work of the woman and the midwife, the large size of the child or the incorrect insertion of the presenting part of the fetus is another reason for ruptures during childbirth. In ideal childbirth, the fetus moves through the birth canal gradually and the body tissues of the expectant mother have time to adapt to the increasing pressure, they are stretched more and more each time. If the body does not have time to adapt, then this leads to impaired blood supply and swelling of the tissues of the birth canal, which inevitably ends with a rupture.

Stitches after childbirth: repair of tears and incisions

All injuries of the birth canal are subject to mandatory treatment. It begins when examining the birth canal immediately after the separation of the placenta. For suturing small cervical tears, anesthesia is not required, since there are no pain receptors in the cervix. If a very deep tear is found (which is rare), the woman is placed under general anesthesia to examine the uterine cavity to determine the depth of the tear. Cervical tears are sutured with absorbable material.

After examining the cervix, the walls of the vagina are examined. If there are few gaps during childbirth and they are shallow, then local anesthesia will be enough - the edges of the wound are cut off with painkillers. For deep and multiple tears, general anesthesia is used. If epidural anesthesia was used during childbirth, then when suturing, the anesthesiologist adds an analgesic to an existing catheter. Tears in the walls of the vagina are sutured with absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed.

Small cracks in the external genitalia often do not require suturing, as they heal quickly, however, this part of the birth canal is very well supplied with blood, therefore, if the cracks are accompanied by bleeding, they must be sutured after childbirth. Damage to the external genitalia is very painful, so medical manipulations in this area often require general anesthesia. The sutures are superimposed with very thin absorbable threads that do not need to be removed.

At the end of the postpartum examination, the integrity of the perineum is restored. Currently, sutures after childbirth are more often applied with absorbable suture material and do not require removal, interrupted non-absorbable sutures are less common.

A separate case of suturing during childbirth are sutures after caesarean section. Previously, during a caesarean section, the abdomen was cut in the middle “from the navel to the pubis” and interrupted sutures were applied. Now a small incision is made along the pubic hairline. Most often, a special continuous cosmetic suture is applied, less often - interrupted sutures or metal staples. Stitches after caesarean section are removed on the 7-9th day. With proper care, a year after the operation, a white scar remains as thin as a thread, which is easily covered even by bikini bottoms.

Healing stitches after childbirth

Of course, all young mothers are concerned about the question of how long stitches heal after childbirth? So, this process depends on the size of the damage, proper care, general condition of the body, methods and materials used for suturing. When using natural or synthetic absorbable materials, wound healing occurs in 10-14 days, the sutures dissolve in about a month. When using metal brackets and non-absorbable material, they are removed after childbirth, on average, on the 5th day in the hospital, before discharge. Wound healing in this case will be longer - from 2 weeks to 1 month.

Stitches in the vagina and on the cervix

Self-absorbable sutures in the vagina and on the cervix do not need special care. It is not necessary to process and remove them, you just need to ensure complete peace and cleanliness. Postpartum discharge is an ideal substrate for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, during the first three weeks after childbirth, it is necessary to carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene so that the infection does not enter the genital tract. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before each visit to the toilet and changing pads. After using the toilet, remove the old gasket from front to back. Wash your perineum with warm soapy water. The direction of movements and water jets should always be from the genitals to the rectum. After washing the genitals, blot them dry with a napkin or a well-absorbing towel. Such a towel, like underwear, must be changed immediately when contaminated with secretions, and daily - if all this remains clean in appearance. Even if you don't feel the urge to urinate, be sure to go to the bathroom every 3-4 hours. But it will be impossible to take a bath in the first month after childbirth.

Seams at the crotch

The presence of seams on the perineum will require even more careful hygiene. In the first two weeks, they hurt quite badly, it’s hard to walk, and it’s forbidden to sit, mothers feed lying down, they also have to eat lying down or standing up. This does not apply to going to the toilet, since you can sit on the toilet already on the first day after the birth of the baby. Wash hands and perineum, use soap with antiseptic. Do not touch the seam area with your hands. Gaskets in the early days must be changed often, sometimes every 2 hours, since for the speedy healing of the wound it must be kept dry. Use special disposable panties for the postpartum period or loose cotton underwear.

While you are in the hospital, the midwife will perform the suture treatment twice a day, using a solution of "potassium permanganate" or "brilliant green" for this. Removing the threads is a painless procedure that largely relieves discomfort.

In the first days after childbirth, it is necessary to delay the stool, for this it is better not to eat cereals, fruits, vegetables and other foods that stimulate bowel movements. Usually this does not cause big problems, since a cleansing enema is performed before childbirth. After 3 days, laxatives will help restore the stool if necessary. To avoid constipation, you can drink a tablespoon of vegetable oil before eating, then the stool will become soft and will not affect the healing of the seams.

After removing the sutures and discharge from the hospital, if the injury sites heal well, there is no need for treatment. It is allowed to sit down on a hard one only after 2 weeks and only on a healthy buttock opposite the side of the incision.

During the day, do the following exercise several times: draw in the muscles of the vagina, perineum and anus. Stay in this state for a few seconds, and then relax your muscles. Then repeat everything again. Exercise can be done within 5-10 minutes. It stimulates blood flow to the organs and promotes their better healing. Absorbable suture knots fall off around the third week. Chamomile infusions will help from pain and itching in the seam area. This infusion can be washed away, or you can moisten a gauze pad with it and apply it to the wound for 1-2 hours. Some women use cold compresses. To do this, crushed ice is placed in a sterile rubber glove. The glove is applied to the wound for 20-30 minutes. During the first month, try not to sit or stand for a long time. It is better to lie on your side, and sit on a pillow or a circle. At the end of the first month after childbirth, you should visit a gynecologist in a antenatal clinic. He will examine the places of the seams, remove the remaining absorbable threads, if necessary.

Stitches after caesarean section

Stitches after caesarean section. Women who have undergone a caesarean section should be prepared for the fact that pain in the area of ​​​​the postoperative wound will disturb for 2-3 weeks. In the early days you have to use painkillers. At this time, when you walk, you need to put on a postoperative bandage or tie up your stomach with a diaper.

You should not lie down in bed, as early rising and moderate activity (baby care, walking along the corridor) not only improve intestinal motility, but also contribute to better uterine contraction and faster healing of the postoperative wound. While you are in the hospital, the procedural nurse will clean the stitches with antiseptic solution and change the bandage daily. It is important to protect this bandage from water, so cover it with a towel when washing. You must ensure that the clothing adjacent to the wound is always clean. Underwear, including a nightgown, is changed every day, and as it gets dirty, even more often.

After the stitches are removed, you can go home and take a shower. As a rule, additional processing of the seam is no longer needed. The first 2 weeks after discharge, the skin should be washed with soap and water 2 times a day. After washing the seams, they should be gently blotted dry with a disposable or freshly washed towel.

Until the wound has completely healed, it is recommended to wear light, breathable underwear. Tight underwear can injure the seam after a cesarean. The best option is loose-fitting cotton trousers with a high waist. In the first month after childbirth, a newly-made mother is not recommended to lift weights more than the weight of the child. It is also necessary to wear a special postpartum bandage. At first, the scar can itch very much, this is due to the healing processes, you just have to be patient. By the end of the second week after childbirth, you can begin to lubricate the scar with creams and ointments that improve skin recovery.

Complications after childbirth

A feeling of heaviness, fullness, pain in the perineum may indicate the accumulation of blood (hematoma formation) in the area of ​​damage. This usually happens in the first three days after childbirth while still in the hospital, so you should immediately report this feeling to your doctor.

The divergence of the seams most often occurs in the first days or immediately after their removal, rarely later. The reason may be early sitting down, sudden movements, violation of sterility and poor matching of tissues during suturing, as well as non-compliance with the rules of hygiene in the postpartum period. This is a rare complication that occurs with serious deep perineal tears. If, after being discharged home, the area of ​​​​the suture began to bleed, hurt, turned red, purulent discharge appeared, it is urgent to consult a gynecologist, since, most likely, an infection has joined and inflammation has occurred. For treatment, the wound will need to be treated with various antiseptics, and sometimes special surgical treatment may be required.

Complications after childbirth require immediate treatment, as they can lead to very serious consequences - postpartum peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity) or sepsis (a general infectious lesion of the whole body that spreads through the blood). Therefore, if something bothers you in your condition, be sure to consult a doctor.

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.

Childbirth is a process, although natural, but painful and traumatic for a woman. During passage through the birth canal, the baby stretches the maternal tissues, which leads to small wounds and serious tears. With the threat of rupture, as well as premature birth, too large fetus and other problems, the doctor performs an incision (episiotomy). Incisions and tears are sutured for quick healing. How to behave, how long it will take to recover, what complications can be with stitches on the perineum - look in this material.

Stitches on tears after childbirth

Rapid childbirth, insufficient elasticity of tissues, improper behavior of the woman in labor (starts to push too early) lead to the appearance of tears. An episiotomy performed correctly and on time is much better than a rupture: the doctor makes a neat incision with a sharp scalpel, which is easy to sew up. Birth lacerations require more sutures, can leave an unsightly scar, and take up to 5 months to heal (internal sutures).

Types of postpartum sutures:

  1. Internal - located on the walls of the vagina, cervix. Usually performed with self-absorbable threads.
  2. External - located on the perineum. They are performed with both self-absorbable and conventional threads.

External seams at the crotch

The longest and most painful process in childbirth is the opening of the cervix. She needs to go a long way from about 1 cm of disclosure (with this usually women get to the hospital) to 8-10 cm. The process is accompanied by strong contractions and can last from several hours to several days.

Compared to the opening of the cervix, the very birth of a baby takes a matter of minutes. At the signal of the midwife, the woman begins to push, helping the child to pass through the birth canal, and soon he is born. Attempts take on average from 20-30 minutes to 1-2 hours. This process cannot be delayed, it can lead to asphyxia in the newborn. Therefore, when the doctor sees that spontaneous birth is impossible or difficult, he makes an incision.

An incision (episiotomy) is a surgical incision in the perineum and posterior wall of the vagina. Allocate perineotomy (incision from the vagina to the anus) and mid-lateral episiotomy (incision from the vagina to the right ischial tuberosity).

Types of episiotomy: 1 - head of the child, 2 - median-lateral episiotomy, 3 - perineotomy

For some unknown reason, women in labor go out of their way to avoid tears and, in particular, incisions. On women's forums, you can often find the proud “not torn”, which, in general, implies a good preparation of the mother, the normal course of childbirth, the normal size of the fetus and high tissue elasticity. But when the doctor talks about the need for an incision, and the woman in labor actively protests, is indignant and even screams, this is fraught with negative consequences, first of all for the baby.

Possible consequences for the child:

  • Damage to the cervical spine.
  • Damage to the nervous system due to lack of oxygen.
  • Hematomas on the head, fractures and cracks, hemorrhages in the eyes due to excessive pressure on the soft bones of the skull.

An even and neat incision 2–5 cm long will help mother and child get to know each other faster. After childbirth, the doctor will bring it together with a continuous cosmetic suture, which, with proper treatment, heals very quickly, in about a month. After healing, it looks like a thin "thread" slightly lighter in color than the skin.

It is a completely different matter if we are talking about gaps. First, it is impossible to predict in which direction the fabric will tear and to what depth. Secondly, it has an irregular shape, torn, even crushed edges are difficult to connect the way it was. In this case, several sutures are required, in some cases (for third-degree tears that reach and pass to the walls of the vagina), general anesthesia may be required.

What is sewn up

Episiotomy incisions and minor perineal tears are sutured with absorbable sutures. They are much more convenient, they do not need to be removed, within 2-3 weeks the threads dissolve without a trace (depending on the material!). Small residues and nodules may come out with the discharge and remain on the pad or underwear.

Deep injuries and incisions are sutured with nylon, vicryl or silk threads. The doctor will remove them in 5-7 days. They tightly tighten the wound and provide good healing.

In some cases (with strong gaps), metal staples are placed. They are removed in the same way as nylon or silk threads, but they can leave small hole scars.


An example of a seam after removal of metal staples - holes in the skin are visible

seam care

While you are in the hospital, under the supervision of specialists, a nurse takes care of the suture. It is usually treated daily with a brilliant green solution. After you are discharged, you should continue to care for your suture as instructed by your doctor. If everything heals well, it is enough to follow the rules of hygiene, wash yourself after each visit to the toilet, do not wear tight underwear, use natural-based pads, and provide air access. In case of inflammation and suppuration, the doctor prescribes therapy (levomekol, solcoseryl, in especially severe cases, antibiotics).

Internal stitches on the vagina, on the cervix, on the clitoris

Internal sutures are placed on the cervix, the walls of the vagina in case of ruptures during childbirth. The main cause of injuries, doctors call the wrong behavior of the woman in labor. Early attempts, when the cervix has not yet opened, lead to its rupture. "Aggravating" circumstances - operations on the cervix, age-related decrease in tissue elasticity. Rupture of the walls of the vagina provokes, in addition to the above reasons, the presence of old scars, emergency childbirth, the high position of the vagina relative to the anus. Of course, the possible fault of the obstetrician cannot be denied - the wrong tactics also lead to injuries.

In some cases, after applying internal stitches to the vagina, mothers complain of pain in the clitoris. The clitoris itself is not sewn up, but the seams and ends of the threads can be next to it, stretching and injuring the delicate area. In general, if the discomfort is too severe, it is best to see a doctor. Gradually, the threads will dissolve and the pain will go away.

What is sewn up

Internal sutures are performed with absorbable sutures only. The reason is the complicated access to injuries. Most often, catgut or vicryl is used for this, sometimes lavsan. The final dissolution time for all types of bioresorbable materials is 30–60 days.

seam care

Internal seams do not need special care. It is enough for a mother to follow the doctor's recommendations, not to lift weights, to abstain from sexual activity for 1–2 months, and to maintain personal hygiene. Be sure to visit the gynecologist at the appointed time, even if nothing bothers you, only the doctor can assess the condition of the tissues, the healing rate and other factors.

Read more about caring for internal and external scars in the article -.

How long do stitches take to heal

Be prepared for discomfort and discomfort in the area of ​​incisions and tears for about 2-3 months. The recovery process is individual for each woman, depends on her well-being, health status, pain threshold, age. Some already in two weeks feel like before pregnancy, others need a year or more to recover.

Do not rush to return to an active sex life! Restrictions are not a whim of a doctor and not his reinsurance, but primarily concern for your health. For 2-3 months after childbirth, sexual intercourse will be painful until the injured area with a fresh scar restores sensitivity.

Something went wrong if:

  1. The suture site bleeds after discharge.
  2. Even at rest, you feel pain inside, a feeling of fullness (may be a sign of a hematoma).
  3. The seam becomes inflamed, there is a discharge with an unpleasant odor, the temperature may rise.

All these signs, as well as other changes in the condition that seem suspicious to you, are 100% reason to see a doctor immediately.

Self-absorbable internal seams

The recovery time depends on the material and severity of the rupture. Catgut disappears within 30-120 days, lavsan - 20-50 days, vicryl - 50-80 days. If you feel good, there is no pain and discomfort inside, you are full of strength and energy - everything is in order. Pay attention to your diet, you need to avoid constipation. If necessary, take a laxative in consultation with your doctor.

External seams

With proper care and the absence of complications, the sutures on the perineum completely heal within 1-2 months. To do this, the mother should rest more, it is recommended, if possible, bed rest, and observe hygiene. One of the reasons for frequent inflammation of the external seams is postpartum discharge from the uterus. Change underwear as often as possible, provide air access (if possible, you can refuse underwear at least at home), use special pads with antibacterial impregnation.


Outer seam with episiotomy (normal) ceases to disturb after about 2 months

When removing the threads from the outside seams

Staples and threads are removed 3-7 days after birth, most often on the fifth. The doctor assesses the condition of the woman in labor, the speed of healing and, based on the information received, makes a decision on discharge.

Does it hurt to remove the threads

It all depends on your pain threshold. The procedure is unpleasant, but fast. If you are afraid of pain, ask your doctor to spray the stitch with a local anesthetic.

When can I get up and sit down with stitches after childbirth

For two weeks, you can only lie or stand. Sitting is strictly prohibited! A reclining position is allowed, leaning on the back of the bed. This also applies to discharge, warn relatives in advance that the entire back seat of the car will be occupied by you and the baby.

Why such rigor? If you try to sit up early, it is quite possible that the seams will come apart. And this is not only painful, but will also require re-suturing, doubling the duration of wound healing.

How long do stitches hurt

Pain, pulling sensations and discomfort from external and internal sutures should pass within two weeks after childbirth. If three weeks have passed and you are still experiencing severe pain at the suture site, be sure to let your gynecologist know. Do not delay, in this case it is better to overdo it in order to avoid possible consequences.

Symptoms of complications at the seams after childbirth:

  1. Pain (for external sutures), feeling of throbbing and twitching inside (for internal sutures).
  2. Swelling of the seam, suppuration, often accompanied by a sharp increase in body temperature.
  3. Divergence of seams.
  4. Incessant bleeding.

If you experience one of the symptoms or all of them in the aggregate, consult a doctor. Do not wait, do not use advice from the network, do not trust the recommendations of friends and acquaintances. Frivolity is unacceptable here!

The seam came apart - reasons:

  • Mom tried to sit up before the deadline.
  • Lifted weights (more than 3 kg).
  • Returned to sexual activity.
  • Accidentally infected the wound.
  • Didn't follow hygiene rules.
  • She suffered from constipation.
  • She wore tight synthetic underwear.
  • Wrong seams.

You can recognize the problem by a burning sensation or itching at the site of the seam, swelling (perineum), pain and tingling, bleeding, fever, general weakness. What to do? Immediately go to an appointment with your doctor, in especially serious cases, call an ambulance.

"Mikrolaks" after childbirth with stitches

Separately dwell on the problem with constipation. Strong attempts during bowel movements can lead to a divergence of the external and internal seams. A laxative will help you, but if you are breastfeeding, the pediatrician should prescribe the drug. As an emergency remedy, Microlax microclysters are suitable, they are safe for nursing mothers, they will quickly and painlessly solve a delicate issue. They have a mild effect, the result occurs within 10-15 minutes after use.

The stitches hurt

If everything is in order, the healing process is going well, the gynecologist does not find problems, but the stitches hurt - what is the reason? Perhaps you have a low pain threshold, your tissues need more time to recover, or your rhythm of life is too active at the moment. In any case, if you are confident in your doctor (it may be worth getting advice from another specialist), allow the body to rest for a while. You should not return to active training, lift weights, sit on a hard chair for a long time and arrange daily general cleaning. All this will have to wait.

Does the pain only occur during sexual intercourse? This is a temporary phenomenon, try changing your position, use lubricants. Gradually, your body will return to its previous shape and adapt to the changes.

Inflamed and festered seams, causes, treatment

Inflammation and purulent discharge appear when an infection enters the wound. It can penetrate both from the body of a woman (postpartum discharge, infection not cured before childbirth), and from the outside, if the rules of hygiene are not observed. The final treatment regimen must be prescribed by your doctor.

Used drugs:

  1. Anti-inflammatory and healing ointments: levomekol, synthomycin, Vishnevsky ointment and others. They will relieve swelling, have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect, and stop the inflammatory process.
  2. Candles, in particular, "Depantol", "Betadine" - accelerate the healing of mucous membranes, treat infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genital area.
  3. A course of antibiotics, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drugs - the doctor will select the therapy in such a way that breastfeeding can be maintained.

Suture granulation, what is it, treatment

Granulation - new tissue that grows during wound healing (healthy cells, blood vessels, etc. are formed). Normally, this is a natural process, but sometimes granulations grow at the site of the sutures after childbirth, can cause discomfort, and feel like small growths. Treatment - at the choice of a gynecologist. Most often, granulations are removed, locally or in a hospital.

Polyps on the seam, what is it, treatment

A polyp is usually understood as the granulations or pathologies already mentioned above during the formation of a scar. Under them, condylomas, papillomas can also be masked. They look and feel like incomprehensible growths (one or more formations) at the place of the seam and around it. Treatment is usually surgical.

Seal (bump) on the seam

If a fairly large lump is felt on the seam, the first thing you should do is visit your gynecologist. Most often, a lump from a self-absorbable suture is mistaken for a bump, which will disappear pretty soon. But there may be other options. In addition to the granulations and papillomas listed above, an abscess with purulent contents may form at the suture site. This is a dangerous symptom that signals improper suturing, infection of the wound, rejection of threads by the body. Seek help urgently.

How to speed up the healing of stitches

First and foremost: none of the methods should be used before consulting a doctor!

Avoid underwear, especially at bedtime. With abundant postpartum discharge, you can sleep on a special absorbent diaper.

Take care of your diet. You need enhanced nutrition, forget about extra calories for a while. The body has experienced stress and needs healthy, high-quality products.

Perhaps you will be helped by recipes of traditional medicine. Tea tree oil, sea buckthorn oil contributes to the healing of injuries.

When can I wash after childbirth with stitches

The shower is allowed and shown after each use of the toilet. And with a bath, and even more so with a visit to the bath and sauna, you have to wait. On average, doctors allow taking a bath two months after childbirth, if the healing process was successful, without any problems. You can also focus on your body, if the postpartum discharge has not yet stopped, you should not rush with the bath. The fact is that for a long time after childbirth, the cervix remains ajar, bleeds, and tap water cannot be called sterile. Bacteria, getting into a favorable environment, begin to multiply actively, triggering inflammatory processes in a weakened body.

Cosmetic stitches after childbirth

The cosmetic seam after healing is almost invisible on the skin. He came to gynecology from plastic surgery. Main features: passes through the tissues, has no visible traces of the entry and exit of the needle.

For a cosmetic suture, self-absorbable threads (lavsan, vicryl) are usually used. It is performed on even, neat incisions and passes through the thickness of the skin in a zigzag manner, called continuous.


Conventional and cosmetic suture after childbirth during execution and after healing

Seam care - a memo to a woman in labor

  1. Change sanitary napkins every two hours, regardless of the presence of discharge. Avoid underwear if possible.
  2. Do not forget about the treatment with antiseptics, if it was prescribed by a gynecologist.
  3. After visiting the bathroom, take a shower, and if this is not possible, wipe the perineum with a sterile napkin with careful wetting movements.
  4. Do not sit down for two weeks.
  5. Monitor the diet, exclude gas-producing and fixing foods (pastries, cereals, etc.). If necessary, take a laxative and do microclysters in consultation with the doctor.

With proper care, external and internal seams, regardless of the material with which they are made, heal quickly and do not leave large scars and scars. Take care of yourself, follow the recommendations of the gynecologist, and very soon you will be able to return to normal life.

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