Stitches after vaginal delivery are very common, and most first-time moms may have to experience this. Obstetricians reveal that a light tearing of the vaginal wall usually takes place during vaginal delivery, and stitches are required to prevent further tearing and to keep infections at bay.
The stitches are usually sore in the beginning, and they may begin to itch as they start to heal. It’s important to take a little extra care after delivery so that the stitches do not get infected and cause complications. After a vaginal delivery, the vagina is generally painful and swollen. Thus, proper care is essential to help the vagina recover and for the stitches to heal completely.
At the time of delivery, the baby travels through the birth canal or vagina. Although this area is stretchy and can expand to accommodate the baby’s size, a baby may require more space. When this happens, the perineum (the area between the anus and vulva) may enlarge beyond its capability and endure some tears in the process. Some tears are superficial and may heal naturally. However, sometimes, there may be tearing of the muscle tissues, and that may lead to substantial bleeding and significant pain. Therefore, they may require stitches.
In some cases, women may have to undergo an episiotomy. An episiotomy is a surgical incision made at the perineum to widen the opening in order to help the baby pass through easily and to avert the tearing of tissues at the time of delivery. In such cases, stitches are required as well.
Tearing of tissues commonly occurs during delivery, especially in the case of first-time mothers. Tears may differ in severity. Tears can be largely divided into four classes:
In some cases, a tear may ensue on top of the vagina, close to the urethra. These tears are usually very small and may require few or no stitches. They generally don’t include the muscles, hence heal very fast. They may result in discomfort while urinating.
If it is a minor tear, you may be stitched in the room where you have delivered. The obstetrician, after administering a local anesthetic to numb the area, will close up the tear with a ‘running stitch’. Most of the time, dissolvable stitches are used as they are not required to be removed on healing.
Cases involving episiotomy or second-degree tears are taken care of in the delivery room itself, but since in third-degree tears the tear runs deeper than the skin, the patient is usually transferred to an operating theatre. The obstetrician may give a local anesthetic. If required, an epidural, spinal, or general anesthetic may be given, depending on the degree of damage. However, this is rare. That is followed by the stitching of the perineum. A thin tube (catheter) may be put into the bladder to empty out the urine. This will enable the perineum to heal quickly. Usually, episiotomy stitches are absorbable or dissolvable sutures.
The time taken for vaginal delivery stitches to heal is generally less, especially if good care is taken. The healing procedure usually takes 2-3 weeks after delivery in the case of a normal episiotomy, which involves a small incision. But this process may vary from person to person. The larger the tear, the longer the healing time. The pain may reduce after a week but the discomfort may continue for a month or so.
A more serious tear that involves deeper stitches may take 6 to 8 weeks to heal entirely. The pain may continue for about a month. The stitches often begin to itch around the time they start healing. It may be a good idea to schedule a checkup with the doctor at around 6 weeks to monitor the progress of the stitches.
Stitches can be fairly painful after a vaginal delivery. Certain things that can be done to soothe them are:
Here is a list of tips that can help you recover faster:
Most doctors may like to go for an episiotomy for normal delivery, particularly in the case of first-time moms. Still, if you wish to avoid having stitches, it is best to discuss your options with the doctor at length.
There may be certain things that can be tried to reduce the possibility of a severe tear during delivery – gently massaging the perineum daily during pregnancy, or applying a warm compress on the perineum at the time of labour. You can also ask your prenatal instructor to teach you proper squatting and pelvic floor exercises or yoga to strengthen the pelvic muscles and enhance skin elasticity.
It is important to know how to take care of after-delivery stitches properly so that they heal safely and completely. Some women may experience pain during intercourse. In such a scenario, it is best to wait a while and let the stitches heal properly. In some cases, women may be troubled with continued perineal pain and difficulty in regulating stools or urine. Whatever may be the problem, it can be prevented by taking good care of your health, eating healthy and exercising regularly. If the problem still persists, seek appropriate medical help.
Despite good care, certain complications may sometimes arise with stitches. It is advisable to consult your gynaecologist in case you experience the following:
It is not difficult to understand why many women may like to avoid having stitches at the time of delivery. But some tearing of tissue during childbirth is inevitable and is considered a usual part of the entire process of birth. The important thing is to take sufficient rest and stay healthy to help recover faster and to heal completely.