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How stitches are processed after childbirth in the hospital. Exercises for a speedy recovery. How stitches are removed

Childbirth is a process, although natural, but painful and traumatic for a woman. During passage through the birth canal, the child stretches the maternal tissues, which leads to small wounds and serious gaps. 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. Correctly and timely performed episiotomy is much better break: the doctor makes a neat incision with a sharp scalpel that is easy to sew up. lacerations that occur during childbirth require more sutures, can leave an unsightly scar and heal up to 5 months (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 rear wall 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

By for some unknown reason women in labor try their best to avoid tears and especially incisions. On women's forums, you can often find the proud "not torn", which, in general, implies good training mothers, the normal course of childbirth, normal sizes 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, primarily 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, 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 decline tissue elasticity. Rupture of the walls of the vagina provokes, in addition to the above reasons, the presence of old scars, emergency childbirth, high position 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. For this, the mother should rest more, it is recommended if possible. bed rest, maintain hygiene. One of the causes of frequent inflammation of the external seams are 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.


Outside 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 ahead of time, the divergence of the seams is quite possible. 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 resolve within two weeks after delivery. 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 suture, suppuration, often accompanied by sharp rise 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 outer and inner seams. A laxative will help you, but if you are breastfeeding, the pediatrician should prescribe the drug. As emergency remedy microclysters "Mikrolaks" 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 take longer to recover, or your rhythm of life is too active for this 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 is a new tissue that grows during wound healing (healthy cells are formed, blood vessels etc.). 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 the seam is quite palpable large seal, 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 dangerous symptom, which 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 the recipes will help you traditional medicine. Oil promotes healing of injuries tea tree, sea ​​buckthorn oil.

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, launching 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.


Regular and cosmetic seam after childbirth during execution and after healing

Seam care - a memo to a woman in labor

  1. Change sanitary napkin every two hours, regardless of the presence of secretions. 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.

There are a number of circumstances that require a woman to have stitches during childbirth. If you follow some measures, the seams will heal quickly and will not disperse.

Situations in which stitches are applied

When childbirth takes place naturally, there may be situations in which it is simply necessary to put stitches. First, the birth sutures may be too narrow for the baby to pass through. So you have to expand them with an incision. And if not a doctor, then the child himself will do it. In the latter case, it will irregular shape a gap that will be difficult to sew up and heal, it will also be much longer and more painful. If the incision is made by a doctor, then such a seam will heal much faster and more painlessly. And if you take care of it properly, the seam will heal quickly, without causing any trouble to its owner.

The doctor makes an incision in the perineum in the following cases:

  • premature birth;
  • rapid childbirth;
  • breech presentation of the child;
  • the presence of a scar from previous births, tissue inelasticity;
  • the threat of rupture of the perineum;
  • contraindications regarding attempts during childbirth.

All stated reasons They have only one goal - to make it easier for the child to pass through the cervix in order to avoid trauma to the baby's head. In the case of a perineal incision with a scalpel, the healing of the sutures is faster and better than with natural ruptures of the muscle tissue.

If a child is born with caesarean section, the suture is located on the abdominal anterior wall.

Healing of postpartum sutures is a fairly long process of restoring soft tissues in the perineal region. Various materials are used, the choice of which depends on the indications and circumstances.

To date, there are the following types materials:

  • synthetic and natural self-absorbable;
  • non-absorbable;
  • metal brackets.

Usually, with self-resorption of sutures, the wound heals up to 1.5-2 weeks. The stitches themselves dissolve in about a month. As for the other material (non-absorbable, staples), they are removed approximately on the fifth day, depending on the size and cause of the suture.

For the speedy healing of the sutures and the elimination of their divergence, as well as the reduction of pain and in order to avoid infection, it is necessary proper care behind him and the observance of certain rules.

In the event that there are sutures on the cervix and the walls of the vagina, it will be enough to observe usual rules hygiene. The sutures do not require maintenance, as they are sewn up with self-absorbable threads and heal on their own.

In the first days after childbirth, the sutures on the perineum are treated by a nurse twice a day, usually using "brilliant green" or a solution of "potassium permanganate". The material is usually self-absorbable. The nodules of these threads fall off on their own for about 4-5 days.

At home, it is enough to follow the usual rules of personal hygiene:

  • change gaskets as often as possible;
  • it is advisable to use disposable underpants or spacious cotton underwear;
  • during the healing period of the seam, do not wear figure-slimning underwear, as blood circulation is disturbed, preventing wound healing;
  • should be washed twice a day (morning and evening), and only using baby soap;
  • after water procedures, the seam should be dried with a towel, blotting it with a towel.

You should know that it is absolutely impossible for a woman who has stitches in the perineum after childbirth to sit down in the next ten days. With the exception of visiting the toilet, where you can sit on the toilet already on the first day after delivery.

Usually, before giving birth, a woman is given a cleansing enema. Eating during childbirth is also not allowed. Therefore, the chair appears approximately on the third day after childbirth. To avoid constipation before eating, you can drink one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Then the stool will be softer, which will not affect the healing of the wound. It is also not recommended to eat foods that have a fixing effect.

While the woman in labor is in the hospital, all the processing of sutures after a cesarean section is taken over by medical staff. Seams are processed antiseptic solutions changing the bandage periodically. A woman should only carefully observe the toilet of the sutures after the operation. A scar on the skin is formed for about seven days. As for the material used for suturing, the threads dissolve on their own up to about 2-3 months.

A caesarean section is pretty serious. surgical intervention during which an incision is made in all layers of the anterior abdominal wall. The mother will be disturbed pain in the area of ​​​​the seam, therefore, in the first days, an anesthetic drug is administered intramuscularly. In addition, it is recommended to wear a postpartum bandage and not to lift weights that exceed the weight of the child.

If this happens, you should determine it quickly and take urgent measures. Inside the seams very rarely diverge, and it is extremely difficult to determine it yourself. This will be seen only by the doctor during the examination. Most often, the seams diverge in the crotch area. And the reason can be very banal - an incorrect act of defecation, a woman sat down, heavy object or sudden movement.

If the sutures come apart on the first or second day after childbirth, the sutures are re-applied. In the event of a divergence of a pair of stitches without a threat to life, the seams can be left as is. But the woman is observed while she is in the hospital, and in case of divergence of the seams at home, she urgently needs to seek help.

Signs of divergence of seams:

  • pain;
  • redness;
  • discharge;
  • other outward signs.

Depending on the complexity of the situation, for example, in the case of wound suppuration, the doctor prescribes local treatment. In case of purulent-inflammatory complications, it is necessary to treat the seams using Vishnevsky ointment or synthomycin emulsion. After the wound is completely cleansed of pus, "levomekol" is usually prescribed, which accelerates the healing process of the wound.

Compliance will help avoid complications. simple rules hygiene and medical advice.

After the process of the appearance of crumbs, mothers often have scars as a memory. What kind of scars are, how and where they appear, what they are, how to care for them - this is what we will consider in our article.

Depending on the location of the incision or tear, it is sewn up in different ways. External seams after childbirth, they are superimposed, if the puerperal had an episiotomy, on the walls of the vagina and on the cervix itself. It is done with the help different materials such as catgut, lavsan, silk.

Tears in this place appear if:

  • childbirth is rapid;
  • large fruit;
  • the uterus is not fully opened.

When applying such a scar, anesthesia is not performed, this area is insensitive for some time after delivery. In this case, catgut fiber is used, which resolves itself after a certain time. Vicryl is an alternative to catgut. The woman in labor does not feel pain on the uterus after stitching. The suture on the cervix itself does not need special care and treatment (in the absence of pathologies).

In the groin

Stitches after childbirth in the groin frequent occurrence. The walls of the groin are torn if the child's head cannot come out on its own. Also, injuries occur at the birth of a baby. Seams on the perineum after childbirth are divided into 3 stages:

  • 1 degree - damaged skin.
  • Grade 2 - skin and muscles are injured.
  • 3 degree - the walls of the rectum are torn.

Sutured under local anesthesia(administration of lidocaine solution). At grade 1, medical specialists use catgut threads. At 2 and 3 degrees, nylon and silk are used. After this procedure, pain and discomfort are felt for 10-14 days.

External seams after childbirth need special hygiene measures and antiseptic treatment, as they have a high risk of developing pathologies. Including infection of the wound with suppuration. To avoid such a reaction, the puerperal is warned that it is necessary to treat the wounds in a timely manner.

Into the vagina

The main cause of damage to the vagina is trauma when a baby is born. Before starting the manipulation, local anesthesia with lidocaine or novocaine is performed. For stitching, natural fibers are used, which are self-absorbed (catgut).

Pain and discomfort are felt after this procedure for the first 3-4 days. The stitches in the vagina do not need special care.

Self-absorbable fibers, their advantages

Self-absorbable sutures are mainly used for internal injuries organs. Repeated intervention to such places is not desirable. The resorption time depends on their composition. Absorbable are those whose strength disappears for 30-60 days. They are affected by water and proteins.

For suturing take:

  • Catgut - dissolve from 30 to 120 days (depending on the thickness).
  • Lavsan - from 20 to 50 days.
  • Vicryl - 50-80 days.

Scarring of this type do not require additional processing. After about 30 days, they disappear on their own. Important:

  • adhere to hygiene;
  • rejection sexual relations about 2 months;
  • do not lift weights;
  • prevent constipation.

Doctors advise (to facilitate the process of defecation) before eating, take 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.

How many heal?

They are sewn up externally if the posterior commissure is torn or when the groin is cut. An episiotomy is a surgical incision made to prevent rupture of the vagina in case of complications and to allow the fetus to pass freely. If the incision is even, then the manipulation of suturing is less painful and better. Natural tears take longer to heal and do not look neat and aesthetically pleasing.

Reasons for a surgical incision:

  • The threat of rupture, which is noticed by medical specialists, occurs in patients who have skin diseases, dryness of the epidermis, and diabetes mellitus.
  • Pregnant women with a pathology of the cardiovascular system to alleviate attempts.
  • Profuse bleeding to hasten the process of birth.
  • Premature delivery.
  • Large fruit.
  • First multiple pregnancy.
  • Prognosis of fetal injury with improper placement.

Episiotomy heals much better than burst injuries (without edema, suppuration). Smooth edges are easier to sew. For external stitching, nylon, vicryl, and silk threads are usually used. Although they do not have the ability to dissolve on their own, they provide a strong connection, excluding the option of discrepancy.

Healing takes about two weeks if there were no complications.

All this time, the woman feels pain when walking, sitting down, defecation. Many are interested in: “After what time they are removed?” This is usually done on the seventh day after the operation with healing without deviations.

To heal faster

Internal usually do not bother a woman. To quickly cure the external and prevent the divergence of the fibers, it is forbidden to do the following:

  • Lift something heavy for 60 days (except for an infant).
  • Have sex for a month.
  • Comb sewn places.
  • Sitting is allowed only after a few days, while at first on one buttock, then completely. It is recommended to lean on a chair.
  • It is necessary to ensure a gentle emptying of the intestines. Follow a diet, avoid constipation.
  • It is also not recommended to shave before complete cure. This can cause irritation on the labia and lead to inflammation of the suture tissue, severe itching and suppuration.

Careful care in this place is a guarantee of fast scarring. During this period, physical activity is reduced to a minimum so that the suture material does not disperse.

  • External scars are treated with brilliant green. In the maternity hospital, if necessary, the midwife helps to do this. Manipulation is performed twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
  • After stitching after childbirth on the perineum, it is recommended to use panty liners and change them every 2 hours.
  • Wipe with a sterile lint-free towel only with blotting movements.
  • It is strictly forbidden to wear underwear with a retraction effect, because of this, blood circulation in the pelvis is disturbed, as a result, scarring slows down.
  • After each visit to the toilet and every 2 hours, it is recommended to wash.
  • It is strictly forbidden to restrain the urge to urinate. The filled bladder puts pressure on the uterus, as a result, its contraction decreases.
  • They are washed with soap (children's) no more than 1 time per day.
  • You can not restrain the urge to empty.
  • If there are problems with the stool, then sea buckthorn and glycerin suppositories are attributed.
  • If you have constipation, eat foods that are high in fiber.
  • You can't sit for two weeks. After the ban is lifted, you can only sit on a hard one.
  • It is forbidden to lift a weight of more than 3 kg, so that there is no divergence of the threads.

After cesarean

A caesarean section is an operation in which the soft tissues. Then they are sewn together. Nowadays, incisions are mainly made in the lower segment of the uterus with a transverse incision 12 cm long.

Vertically from the navel and to the pubis is cut when fetal hypoxia or hemorrhage is detected. The type of dissection is ugly and very noticeable on the body. Will thicken in the future. Such a sectioning process is rarely carried out, only in emergency situations.

If the operation is planned, a horizontal incision is made. Cutting the skin transversely over the pubis. Its advantages are that it is located in a natural skin fold, the abdominal cavity is not cut at the same time. It turns out very neatly and the mark on the body is almost invisible.

Inside on the wall of the uterus in both of these cases, the specialist sews up different principle trying to achieve the best conditions for the fastest healing of the wound and reduce bleeding.

Injuries after caesarean need constant care during the first month. The first 7 days after the daily treatment with an antiseptic solution and be sure to change the bandage. Cosmetic sutures after childbirth are sutured with materials that dissolve two months after application.

They are allowed to bathe in the shower after about a week, it is not advisable to use a hard washcloth. It is better not to lift weights for the first months (more than the weight of your child). If there is intense pain, then in the first days, painkillers are administered intramuscularly as prescribed by a gynecologist.

Healing time, features of care, various deviations - important nuances, which depend on which incision was during the caesarean section. After delivery, doctors give advice to patients about all issues of interest.

Complications

Influenced different facts there may be complications. Possible pathologies:

  • Strong pain. If the stitches of the perineum hurt after childbirth, then infrared, quartz heating is prescribed. Ointment "Kontraktubeks" helps to reduce pain.
  • Itching. Itching sensations are a common symptom that indicates that wounds are healing. This should not disturb the patient.
  • Divergence of threads. With this, a woman is urgently hospitalized and the problem areas are sutured.
  • Suppuration and swelling. When pathogenic microbes enter the wound, pus appears. Such a deviation should be processed and treated by a doctor.
  • Bleeding. This problem appears if the woman in labor did not observe the nuances of the ban on sitting. The cause of blood discharge is the divergence of the threads and the rupture of soft tissues. In this case, the mother also needs specialized medical therapy.

Do not wear a bandage - it increases intra-abdominal pressure.

Conclusion

Modern methods and principles of suturing gaps and incisions provide for rapid healing, favorable treatment minimum discomfort and hassle. Subject to the recommendations of doctors and certain instructions, the risk of manifestation of pathologies is reduced to almost zero.

Take care of your health! Take good care of yourself in the postpartum period and your body will recover faster, the pain will be forgotten, and you come back soon to its original form.

  • How long do they heal
  • How to care for stitches
  • What complications can be
  • How to shoot

During childbirth, it is not uncommon for a woman to have a rupture of the vagina, uterus, or perineum. This situation is not difficult, because doctors skillfully and quickly sew up such gaps, without focusing on it special attention.

In fact, all this is very unpleasant. Firstly, the process of stitching is a rather painful procedure. Secondly, stitches after childbirth can bring a lot of worries and troubles to a young mother. You need to know how to minimize them and reduce the undesirable consequences of gaps to nothing. Correct postpartum care behind these "battle" scars will largely depend on where they are located.

Kinds

Depending on where exactly the rupture occurred, there are external (on the perineum) and internal seams after childbirth (on the cervix, in the vagina). They are made with threads from different materials, which means they require special care, which the young mother must be informed about.


Stitches on the cervix

  • reason: large fruit;
  • anesthesia: not performed, since the cervix loses sensitivity for some time after childbirth;
  • suture materials: catgut, which allows you to apply self-absorbable sutures that do not have to be removed later; as well as vicryl, caproag, PGA;
  • advantages: do not cause inconvenience, are not felt, do not cause complications;
  • care: not required.

Stitches in the vagina

  • reason: birth trauma, vaginal ruptures of various depths;
  • anesthesia: local anesthesia with novocaine or lidocaine;
  • suture material: catgut;
  • disadvantages: preservation of soreness for several days;
  • care: not required.

Seams at the crotch

  • causes: natural (damage to the perineum during childbirth), artificial (dissection by a gynecologist);
  • types: I degree (the wound affects only the skin), II degree (skin and muscle fibers), III degree (rupture reaches the walls of the rectum);
  • anesthesia: local anesthesia with lidocaine;
  • suture materials: catgut (at I degree), non-absorbable threads - silk or nylon (at II, III degree);
  • disadvantages: preservation of soreness for a long time;
  • care: rest, hygiene, regular treatment with antiseptic solutions.

A particular problem is the external seams after childbirth, which are performed on the perineum. They can cause various kinds of complications (suppuration, inflammation, infection, etc.), therefore, they require special, regular care. A young mother should be warned about this even in the maternity hospital, and also informed about how to treat such wound surfaces. Usually women have many questions about this, and each of them is very important for her health and condition.

How long does it take for stitches to heal after childbirth?

Every woman who could not avoid ruptures is concerned about how long the stitches heal after childbirth, because she really wants to quickly get rid of pain and return to her previous lifestyle. The speed of healing depends on many factors:

  • when using self-absorbable threads, healing occurs within 2 weeks, the scars themselves dissolve for about a month and do not cause much trouble;
  • much more problematic is the question of how long the sutures heal when using other materials: they are removed only 5-6 days after childbirth, they take from 2 to 4 weeks to heal, depending on the individual characteristics of the body and care for them;
  • the healing period of postpartum scars can increase when microbes enter the wounds, therefore, the ability to treat wound surfaces and monitor their cleanliness is required.

In an effort to quickly return to their old way of life and get rid of painful sensations, young mothers are looking for ways to quickly heal the stitches after childbirth so that they do not interfere with their enjoyment of the joy of communication with the newborn. This will directly depend on how accurate a woman is and whether she competently takes care of her postpartum “combat” wounds.

How to care for seams?

If ruptures could not be avoided, you need to know in advance how to care for the stitches after childbirth in order to avoid complications and speed up their healing. The doctor must definitely give detailed advice and tell you how to do it correctly. It is included in his professional duties so feel free to ask. Usually postpartum suture care involves sedentary image life, observance of hygiene rules and treatment with various wound healing and antiseptic agents.

  1. In the maternity hospital, the midwife treats the external scars with “greenery” or a concentrated solution of “potassium permanganate” 2 times a day.
  2. Change your pad every two hours after giving birth.
  3. Use only loose natural (preferably cotton) underwear or special disposable panties.
  4. Do not wear tight fitting underwear that strong pressure on the perineum, which has a bad effect on blood circulation: in this case, the healing of the sutures after childbirth can be delayed.
  5. Wash your face every two hours and after every visit to the toilet.
  6. Go to the toilet at regular intervals so that a full bladder does not interfere with uterine contractions.
  7. In the morning and evening, when you take a shower, wash your perineum with soap and water, and during the day just wash it with water.
  8. Wash outer scar you need to be as careful as possible: direct a jet of water directly at him.
  9. After washing, dry the perineum with blotting movements of the towel in one direction - from front to back.
  10. Another important question is how long it is impossible to sit with stitches after childbirth if they are made on the perineum. Doctors, depending on the degree of damage, call the period from 7 to 14 days. At the same time, it is allowed to sit on the toilet immediately on the first day. After a week, you can squat on the buttock opposite the side in which the damage was recorded. It is recommended to sit down exclusively on a hard surface. This issue needs to be considered during the return of a young mother home from the hospital. It is better for her to lie or half-sitting in the back seat of the car.
  11. No need to be afraid of severe pain and because of this, skip a bowel movement. This creates an additional load on the muscles of the perineum, as a result of which the pain intensifies. To make this process easier, you can safely use glycerin suppositories after childbirth with stitches: they are rectal and soften the stool without harming the wounded perineum.
  12. Avoid constipation, do not eat products that have a fixing effect. Before eating, drink a tablespoon of vegetable oil so that the stool normalizes and does not slow down the healing process.
  13. Do not lift weights weighing more than 3 kg.

These are the basic rules of hygiene that allow, even with breaks, the body of a young mother to quickly recover and return to normal. But what to do if the stitches after childbirth hurt for too long, when all the deadlines have already passed, but it still doesn’t get easier? Perhaps some factors provoked complications that will require not only additional care but also treatment.

What complications can occur with suturing?

Very often, a woman continues to feel pain and discomfort after two weeks after giving birth. This is a signal that something prevented healing, and this is fraught with various complications- in this case, medical intervention, treatment, treatment of sutures after childbirth with special preparations will be required. Therefore, a young mother should be extremely attentive and sensitive to her own feelings, monitor the healing process of postpartum injuries very carefully.

  1. if the scars do not heal for a very long time, they hurt, but medical examination no pathology and special problems has not been identified, the doctor may advise warming;
  2. they are carried out no earlier than 2 weeks after childbirth to allow the uterus to contract (read more about the restoration of the uterus after childbirth);
  3. for this procedure, use "blue", quartz or infrared lamps;
  4. heating is carried out for 5-10 minutes from a distance of 50 cm;
  5. it can be done independently at home after consulting a doctor;
  6. ointment for healing sutures "Kontraktubeks" can also relieve pain: it is applied 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.

The seam has come apart:

  1. if the seam has opened after childbirth, it is strictly forbidden to do something at home;
  2. in this case, you need to call a doctor or an ambulance;
  3. if the divergence of the sutures after childbirth was indeed diagnosed, most often they are superimposed anew;
  4. but if at the same time the wound has already healed, this will not require any medical intervention;
  5. in such cases, the doctor, after the examination, will prescribe how to treat the stitches after childbirth: usually these are wound healing ointments or suppositories.
  1. very often women complain that their stitches itch after childbirth, and very strongly - as a rule, this does not indicate any abnormalities and pathologies;
  2. itching is most often a symptom of healing, so it should not cause anxiety in a woman;
  3. in order to somehow alleviate this unpleasant, albeit favorable symptom, it is recommended to wash yourself more often with water at room temperature (the main thing is not to be hot);
  4. this also applies to those cases when the suture is pulled: this is how they heal; but in this case, check for yourself whether you started sitting up too early and whether you have to carry weights.
  1. if a woman notices an unpleasant, abnormal discharge (not to be confused with the restoration of menstruation), smells bad and is suspicious brownish-green in color, this may mean festering, which is serious danger for good health;
  2. if the seam is festering, you must definitely tell the doctor about it;
  3. this is how complications such as inflammation of the sutures after giving birth or their divergence can occur - both cases require medical intervention;
  4. if infection occurs, antibiotics may be prescribed;
  5. from external processing, it is recommended to smear with Malavit shvygel, Levomekol, Solcoseryl, Vishnevsky ointments;
  6. if the scars fester, only a doctor can prescribe what can be treated: in addition to the above anti-inflammatory and wound healing gels and ointments, chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide are also used, which disinfect wound cavities.
  1. if, after childbirth, shovkrovit, most likely, the basic rule was violated - do not sit during the first weeks: the tissues are stretched, and the wound surfaces are exposed;
  2. in this case, it is not recommended to treat the problem area on your own, but to contact a specialist directly;
  3. alteration may be required;
  4. but most often it is enough to use wound-healing ointments and gels (Solcoseryl, for example).

If the first days passed without complications and special difficulties described above, there will be one more procedure left - the removal of sutures after childbirth, which is performed by a specialist in outpatient settings. You also need to mentally prepare for it, so as not to panic and not be afraid.

How are stitches removed?

Before discharge, the doctor usually warns on which day the stitches are removed after childbirth: in the normal course of the healing process, this occurs 5-6 days after they are applied. If the woman’s stay in the maternity hospital is delayed, and she is still in the hospital at that moment, this procedure will be performed on her there. If the discharge happened earlier, you will have to come again.

And yet, the main question that worries all women going for this procedure is whether it hurts to remove stitches after childbirth and whether any anesthesia is used. Of course, the doctor always reassures that this procedure resembles only a mosquito bite. However, everything will depend on the pain threshold of a woman, which is different for everyone. If there were no complications, there will actually be no pain: only an unusual tingling sensation mixed with a burning sensation is felt. Accordingly, anesthesia is not required.

Childbirth is an unpredictable process, so anything can happen. At the same time, ruptures are not uncommon and are not perceived by doctors as a complication or difficulty. modern medicine involves professional, competent suturing after childbirth, which subsequently deliver a minimum of discomfort with proper care.

One stitch, two stitch, it will be fun! - the obstetrician used to say with a needle at the feet of a happy woman in labor. For some, this black humor becomes not a funny reality and causes a lot of trouble and trouble. We will tell about situations that inspire obstetricians to take up a needle, ways to quickly heal and relieve pain.

When stitches are applied and the causes of ruptures

Childbirth does not always go smoothly, and sometimes you have to pay for the happiness of having children with birth injuries - tears and cuts in the genital tract, on which external and internal sutures are applied after childbirth. Injuries are internal - tears on the cervix and vagina, and external - tears and incisions in the perineum.

After a natural birth, the obstetrician necessarily checks for gaps and, if detected, they are sutured. Otherwise, if suturing is not carried out, postpartum period threatens to end up in a hospital bed due to bleeding in the injured tissues and the attachment of infection to them, and in the future even provoke prolapse internal organs and urinary and fecal incontinence.

The process of applying external and internal sutures takes a long time and requires a highly qualified doctor, and in the case of ruptures in the cervix, passing to the vagina and uterus, and some virtuosity due to the inaccessibility and risk of damage to the nearby Bladder and ureters.

Internal sutures after childbirth on the cervix, vagina and the uterus itself are superimposed using absorbable threads from biological or semi-synthetic material. If only the cervix is ​​affected, then anesthesia is usually not required - after childbirth, it is insensitive. In all other cases, local or general anesthesia is used - anesthesia or epidural anesthesia.

The muscle layers at breaks and incisions of the perineum are also sutured with absorbable threads, and the skin is often made of non-absorbable silk, nylon and other materials that are removed at the maternity hospital or in the antenatal clinic, usually 3-7 days after childbirth, when the suture is scarred. The procedure is quite painful and therefore anesthesia is required during execution.

The reasons for the gaps can be different. This is not following the advice of an obstetrician during the straining period, and the presence of scars from sutures imposed in previous births (the scar consists of an inelastic connective tissue), rapid, prolonged, premature and instrumental labor (forceps), anatomical features pelvic structure, large head in a child, breech presentation, low skin elasticity at the time of delivery.

The attitude to episiotomy - dissection of the perineum, is different for obstetricians. For some, this is a routine procedure that is applied en masse to avoid the risk of perineal rupture. Other doctors strive to make the birth process as natural as possible, intervening when it is already quite clear that a rupture cannot be avoided. If instrumental childbirth is performed with forceps or a vacuum extractor, then a preliminary dissection of the perineum is recommended.

Episiotomy does not help to avoid grade 3 tears when the anal sphincter is involved in perineal integrity and may even contribute to such injury. Nevertheless, surgical incision has a number of advantages over rupture. Dissected tissues are technically easier to take in than torn ones. The resulting wound has smooth edges, healing occurs faster and a more aesthetic scar is formed.

Healing and suture treatment

It is regrettable, but what happened happened, and as a result, after giving birth, you got stitches. With internal sutures, if the suturing procedure is performed correctly and carefully, it hurts for about 2 days. special care they do not require and do not need to be removed, since they are made of absorbable thread.

Self-absorbable sutures after childbirth from natural material - catgut completely dissolve in about a month, and from synthetic - after 2-3 months. Internal heal faster and can disperse in extremely rare and exceptional cases.

Quite another matter - the outer seams of the perineum. With such a postpartum reward, it is painful to move around, it is problematic to go to the toilet and it is absolutely impossible to sit down due to the fact that the seams can disperse.

Ban on sitting position works for two weeks, after which you can gradually try to sit on hard surfaces.

If catgut sutures were placed on the perineum, then you should not be afraid if pieces of threads that have fallen off appear after a week - during this period the material loses its strength and breaks. The seams will not disperse, unless, of course, they start dancing. How long the material will absorb depends on the speed metabolic processes in organism. Sometimes there are cases when the catgut did not resolve even six months after suturing.

Sutures from a non-absorbable thread from the perineum are removed 3-7 days after childbirth. If this was not done in the maternity hospital, then the removal of the stitches is carried out by the gynecologist in the antenatal clinic. During the removal procedure itself, it is a little unpleasant, but in most cases it does not hurt, or the pain is quite tolerable.

How long the stitches heal after childbirth is affected by the individual speed of healing of injuries received by the body - both from small scratches and from more serious injuries.

Usually this process does not take more than a month, but on average it takes 2 weeks.

Both before and after the removal of sutures, it is necessary to regularly treat them. This is especially important, since postpartum discharge and the constantly moist environment of the perineum contribute to the multiplication of various microorganisms on the wound surface. As a result, the sutures can fester and healing will be delayed indefinitely.

How and how to handle stitches after childbirth at home? Also, as in the maternity hospital, it is necessary to treat two to three times a day with antiseptic solutions and / or antibacterial ointments that suppress uncontrolled growth causing inflammation bacilli The most affordable means are the well-known brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, chlorhexidine, etc. From ointments - levomekol, etc. Processing should be carried out, avoiding a sitting position.

If you provide air access to the perineum, then healing will go much faster. To do this, you need to use "breathable" pads made of natural materials and refrain from wearing tight underwear. The ideal option is to provide "ventilation" during sleep, when you can completely abandon underwear and sleep on a special absorbent diaper, or an oilcloth with a regular cloth diaper.

To speed up regeneration, it is also necessary good nutrition supplying building material to the site of injury. From folk remedies accelerates the healing of tea tree oil, sea buckthorn oil. And of course hygiene rules and maintaining cleanliness are welcome on the path to rapid healing.

How to ease the pain

In the process of suture healing, tissue contraction occurs - the wound surfaces are reduced, and the wound is closed with a scar. Therefore, it is quite normal that the stitches hurt after childbirth, like any other injury that violates the integrity of muscle and epithelial tissues. Discomfort - Pain and itching in the perineum may be experienced up to 6 weeks postpartum.

If the pain is of a different nature, and even more so when suppuration of the sutures has begun, you should consult a doctor.

If the pain is severe, which happens in the first days after childbirth, then applying cold to the perineum, painkillers can help to cope with it. In the maternity hospital they give injections, at home you can take ibuprofen (Nurofen), which is not contraindicated in case of breastfeeding and has an anti-inflammatory effect. To reduce the pain during urination, you can try to urinate while standing in the bathroom, legs apart.

What to do if the seams come apart

Rarely, but it happens that the seams partially or completely diverge. This can happen due to weight lifting, early onset of sexual relations after childbirth, sudden sitting down and other awkward sudden movements, increased pressure on the genitals during constipation.

In the hospital, with a serious discrepancy, the sutures can be re-applied. Signs of suture divergence are pain, swelling, discharge from the wound. What to do in this case? Do not panic and get to see a gynecologist. If a few stitches have come apart, then you can leave everything as it is. In more serious situations where there is no health hazard, healing will occur, but a plasty of the vulva may be required in the future.

We hope that very soon those who were lucky enough to get under the obstetrician's needle run and jump with eyes full of joy from their little "female happiness", not even remembering the recent troubles after childbirth. We wish that scars do not become an adornment for women and a speedy postpartum recovery!

At the birth of a child through natural ways doctors sometimes have to resort to perineotomy or episiotomy - a dissection of tissues from the entrance to the vagina towards back to the rectum or at an angle to middle line. Stitches on the perineum after childbirth require special attention of physicians and compliance with some recommendations by the young mother.

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;
  • narrow pelvis;
  • 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 sent home to usual terms, synthetic threads in the incision area disappear completely 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? Applications of special antiseptics 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 performing these simple tips an 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.

Usage medicines suture care 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 gymnastics. 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 leg curls ankle joints and then in the knees. In the future, raising the pelvis with support on bent legs joins. Useful and breathing exercises. 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 anal sphincter 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.

We recommend reading the article on discharge after childbirth. From it you will learn about the causes of clots, when a woman should be alert, as well as about the restoration of the uterus, ways to eliminate inflammation, if any.

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 an entire seam open, then the cause is usually purulent inflammation. In this case, there is severe pain, fever, purulent discharge. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor, you may need to debridement wounds.

With a significant deformation remaining after a deep suture that has parted, plastic surgery of the perineal tissues is shown in the future.

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.

Reading time: 6 minutes

During childbirth, a woman receives many microtraumas that do not cause discomfort and heal on their own within a few weeks. But more common are serious injury. 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 called the seams that are superimposed on the cervix or vaginal walls with birth trauma. 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 there will be special disposable panties. This also applies to towels.
  • Regular hygiene of the genitals with warm water and baby soap. You can use infusions 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 chair. Useful reception of a spoon sunflower oil before eating. 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 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 maternity hospital, external seams left after childbirth are processed by a 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 caring for internal seams. To them you can add the use of special gaskets that have natural basis and coverage. 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 discomfort 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, suture technique, materials used. Postpartum sutures 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

At improper care sutures and failure to take precautions during their 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 sex life after childbirth, infection, too early sitting down and sudden movements. When the seams diverge, the woman is disturbed severe pain, there is swelling of the wound, 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.