home Auditorium 7 How external stitches are removed after childbirth. What types of stitches are there and when are they applied to a woman in labor? When to apply stitches and causes of ruptures

How external stitches are removed after childbirth. What types of stitches are there and when are they applied to a woman in labor? When to apply stitches and causes of ruptures

During childbirth, women often experience tearing of the uterus or vagina.

This requires stitches.

In order to avoid problems with these scars, you need to know how long it takes for sutures to dissolve after childbirth and how they need to be removed.

Let's consider this issue in more detail.

How long does it take for different types of sutures to heal after childbirth?

According to localization (place of application), the sutures are:

1. On the cervix. They are installed when the cervix is damaged by a fetus that is too large.

2. Stitches in the vagina. They are applied in case of birth trauma or vaginal rupture of varying depths. Novocaine or lidocaine is used as anesthesia.

3. Sutures can be placed on the perineum if it is damaged during childbirth, as well as during a special incision by a doctor. There are three types of perineal injuries:

Type 1 (damage only skin);

type 2 (skin and muscle damage);

Type 3 (severe muscle damage, their rupture, which reaches the walls rectum).

Depending on the extent and type of perineal injury, doctors may use different types threads (nylon, silk or absorbable).

There are the following types of main threads for suturing:

1. Catgut is a completely absorbable material, the threads of which are separated on the seventh day. This seam disappears within the first month.

2. Vicryl. It is usually used when caesarean section. It resolves in 60-70 days.

3. Maxon. It completely dissolves approximately 190 days after application.

How long does it take for external sutures to heal after childbirth?

Depending on the place of application, they are distinguished:

External seams;

Internal seams.

External sutures are usually placed on the perineum. They are quite problematic because they can provoke various kinds complications in the form of suppuration, inflammation, infection, etc. To prevent this, a young mother should know how to properly care for stitches. Doctors should inform her about this upon discharge from the hospital.

The healing period of sutures in the perineum takes longer than internal seams on the uterus and vagina. In order for them to tighten faster, it is recommended to follow bed rest, sexual rest (at least in the first two weeks), and also treat wounds with special antiseptics.

The healing process of this type of sutures is complicated by postpartum discharge from the uterus, which is a hotbed for the development of infection. To eliminate the possibility of getting hit harmful bacteria into the wound, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. Change sanitary pad every two hours.

2. Treat the sutures in the first days after application with antiseptics (it is advisable that a gynecologist do this in the first days).

3. Using blotting movements, wipe the perineum with a sterile napkin. You cannot use cloth towels for this purpose, otherwise germs may get into the wound.

4. Do not sit down after childbirth for ten days, so as not to provoke suture divergence.

5. For ten days after birth, you should refrain from taking flour products and croup to make bowel movements as easy as possible and not cause constipation.

If the sutures in the perineum were made of non-absorbable material, they are usually removed on the tenth day after birth.

If the patient has absorbable materials applied, they do not require removal and will dissolve on their own after some time, but sometimes they also have to be removed mechanically (if complications arise).

How long does it take for sutures to heal after childbirth by caesarean section?

A caesarean section is a rather complex abdominal operation in which several layers of soft tissue are dissected. For their subsequent connection, strong threads are used (vicryl, dexon, monocryl, etc.).

Today, cesarean section is very common through a transverse incision of the uterus, the length of which is from 11 to 13 cm. This cavity provides every opportunity to minimize blood loss and fast healing wounds.

When using self-absorbable threads, the healing time of the suture will be from three weeks to one month, although sometimes this process takes longer.

Sutures using synthetic materials are somewhat more problematic to heal: they are removed on the seventh day after application, but complete healing of the wound takes three to four weeks.

In addition, the healing period will largely depend on the care of the suture, lifestyle and the woman’s compliance with all medical recommendations.

How to care for seams

How long it takes for the sutures to dissolve after childbirth largely depends on how well you care for your sutures. Exist following rules which doctors advise their patients to follow after suturing:

1. Wear loose underwear so that it does not squeeze the crotch anywhere. It is also desirable that it be made from natural materials (cotton).

Wearing shapewear is strictly prohibited, as it interferes with blood circulation in the pelvis. This in turn can cause swelling.

2. Lubricate external scars antibacterial ointments and solutions.

3. It is advisable to sit down gradually and not make sudden movements.

4. Until the sutures are removed, any physical exercise(lifting weights, playing sports, etc.).

5. You should defecate regularly, otherwise, when defecation is delayed, additional stress will be created in the abdominal muscles, which will only increase pain. To soften the process of defecation, it is allowed to use rectal suppositories(It is recommended to consult a doctor before using them).

6. You need to drink a spoonful every day vegetable oil. This will normalize stool and prevent constipation.

7. In the first week after suturing, you should not bend over.

8. In order not to provoke inflammation of the scars, you should not take a hot bath before removing the stitches. It is best to wash in the shower.

9. Do not apply hot or cold compresses to scars, as this can cause inflammation. It is also not recommended to self-medicate. All your actions must be coordinated with your doctor.

How long does it take for stitches to dissolve after childbirth: possible complications

Quite often after discharge (1-2 weeks), a woman begins to feel pain and discomfort in the suture area. It is very important to respond to such a symptom in a timely manner, otherwise the condition may worsen even further.

Postpartum wounds can cause the following complications:

1. Pain. This symptom appears after every operation, and childbirth is no exception. As drug treatment To relieve pain, you can use special ointments (Contractubex) and dry heating. Take stronger ones medications It is possible only when the woman is not breastfeeding. Otherwise, she should not be prescribed most analgesics, as they may have a negative impact on the baby’s condition.

2. Seam divergence can occur during sudden movement or sports activities. In this case, it is recommended to urgently call a doctor, as blood will ooze from the wound. In addition, this condition is dangerous because an infection can get into the open muscle tissue, which can lead to inflammation, fever and elevated temperature bodies.

3. Itching. Usually this symptom does not indicate the presence of pathologies or infection in the wound. Quite the opposite - it signals a favorable healing process, so it should not cause concern in women.

To slightly reduce the severity of the itching, you should wash your face warm water. Any medicines It is not recommended to use for itching.

4. Wound suppuration is one of the most dangerous complications. Its symptoms are:

Increased body temperature;

Malaise;

Weakness;

The appearance of an unpleasant odor from the seam;

The appearance of purulent discharge from the wound from dull yellow to dark brown;

Fever;

Pain throughout the suture area.

If the wound becomes suppurated, the woman is advised to consult a doctor as soon as possible. After the examination, the doctor will prescribe the necessary ointments and antibiotics. Most effective drugs To eliminate inflammation, the following ointments are used: Malavit, Levomekol, Vishnevsky.

It is important to know that severe suppuration of the wound is dangerous not only for the health of the mother, but also for the child, especially if the woman is breastfeeding the baby breast milk.

5. Opening internal bleeding can occur if the rules of wearing loose underwear and sitting are violated during the first weeks after surgery. This condition is extremely dangerous and therefore requires immediate medical care.

Immediately before discharge, the attending doctor should tell you the approximate date for suture removal. If a woman stays in the hospital long enough, her stitches can be removed right there. If she is discharged home, she will need to come to the doctor again after some time.

When removing the stitches, the patient does not have to go back to the hospital, since this procedure takes no longer than forty minutes and if the scarring is good, the doctor will let the patient go home the same day.

It is important to know that even if the condition of the wound is satisfactory after the stitches are removed, the woman is advised to be careful and avoid lifting heavy objects. TO to the usual way She can return to life no earlier than six months after the initial suturing.

During childbirth, it may be necessary to cut the perineum or, in the worst case, rupture of the vagina or cervix. Then obstetricians-gynecologists sew up the damaged tissue. Stitches can cause pain and discomfort for a young mother, and if improper care and disdainful attitude towards physical limitations completely disperse, which will entail undesirable consequences.

Types of postpartum sutures

If the incision is made towards the anus, the dissection procedure is called perineotomy

After childbirth, sutures are applied when soft tissues are damaged to speed up their healing and prevent undesirable consequences (suppuration, inflammation, etc.). At natural childbirth The walls of the uterus, cervix, and vagina may rupture. Often, doctors specially cut the perineum to facilitate the process of removing the fetus and prevent ruptures, because the cut heals faster and less often leads to complications. If the mother has undergone a caesarean section, then the wall of the uterus is sutured, inside muscle tissue and skin on the stomach. Let's take a closer look at the types postpartum sutures during natural childbirth:

Sutures on the cervix. They are applied when tissue ruptures due to insufficient dilatation of the cervix. The cervix is sutured “live” immediately after childbirth. Anesthesia is not required due to partial loss of sensitivity of the organ during childbirth. Most often, self-absorbable material is used; threads do not require subsequent removal and specific care. postpartum period.
Stitches in the vagina. The causes of vaginal rupture are insufficient elasticity or physiological characteristics. When sewing it is used local anesthesia or general short-term anesthesia, since the sensations during the procedure are painful.
Stitches on the crotch. The most common type of tear is in the perineum. There are three degrees of ruptures, depending on the location of the damage. The first degree is called a rupture of the skin, the second - the skin and muscles, the third - a violation of the integrity of the skin and rectal muscles. To prevent a tear with jagged edges that take a long time to heal, doctors may make an incision in the perineum with a scalpel. When dissecting the perineum from the center to the anus, the perineotomy method is used. An incision from the posterior commissure at a 45-degree angle is called an episiotomy. Sutures are applied in stages - first, the walls of the rectum are fixed with a thread if it is damaged, then the muscle tissue, and lastly, the skin. The last layer is stitched with synthetic threads impregnated with antibiotic solutions. A few days later, the doctor removes them.

Breaks most often occur for the following reasons:

large fruit;
incorrect presentation of the fetus;
mother's age over 35 years;
narrow pelvis of a woman in labor;
rapid labor;
the presence of scars on the perineum from previous births;
structural features of the perineum and others.

Why do the seams in the perineum come apart after childbirth?

For suturing, self-absorbable materials or threads that require removal can be used

Sutures made from non-absorbable materials are usually removed 5–7 days after birth in a maternity hospital or antenatal clinic. The procedure is usually not painful, but rather a little uncomfortable. Unlike internal sutures on the uterus or vagina, on the perineum they are more likely to become inflamed due to constant contact with lochia ( postpartum discharge) and physical activity of a young mother. We list the most common causes of suture dehiscence after childbirth:

non-compliance with bed rest in the first days after childbirth;
premature sitting down;
heavy lifting and sudden movements;
constipation, causing pressure on damaged tissues;
wound infection;
insufficient genital hygiene;
wearing tight underwear made of non-natural fabrics;
sexual activity before the sutures heal.

Re-overlay

Internal seams diverge extremely rarely, unlike stitches on the perineum, since the muscles on the cervix and vagina are less mobile and are not subject to mechanical damage. However, this can happen with premature intercourse, for example. If, during a self-examination, you find that the suture looks suspicious and causes severe pain while walking, you must urgently contact a gynecologist at the antenatal clinic or maternity hospital from where you were discharged. It is possible to reliably establish the divergence of the seam only during examination on the doctor’s chair. It is advisable to contact an obstetrician-gynecologist who delivered the child and is well acquainted with the medical history in order to carry out the necessary surgical procedures and re-suturing, if necessary, as quickly as possible.

If the wound has healed and the suture looks healthy, but there are small areas of inflammation, the doctor may prescribe antibacterial therapy- processing antiseptic solutions, anti-inflammatory ointments or use rectal suppositories for internal damage. It’s another matter if the wound is still fresh, but the stitches are already coming apart. In this case, a repeat operation with suturing is usually prescribed. If this happened in a hospital setting, the doctor will notice the failure of the suture during examination and will re-suture it as soon as possible. In this case, local anesthesia is used and there is practically no pain. The suturing procedure is similar to the initial suturing after childbirth. The operation only takes about half an hour. After the procedure, standard measures to prevent suture dehiscence and means for disinfection and speedy wound healing are prescribed.
In a situation where complete or partial suture dehiscence has already occurred at home, the tissue may become inflamed due to infection in the open wound. Repeated dissection is necessary with possible partial removal of inflamed areas and suppuration. The woman is under general or local anesthesia; as a rule, there is no pain. The wound is first thoroughly washed with antiseptics, and then again dissected and sutured in a hospital setting, using standard materials and postpartum suturing techniques. The patient is recommended to remain in the hospital under medical supervision for 5-6 days before the sutures are removed if non-absorbable material is used. On the recommendation of a doctor, in addition to standard suture care products, antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent the development of the inflammatory process. Pain after all manipulations can be quite intense with complete dissection of the suture or insignificant with partial divergence and no complications after surgery.
The appearance of the suture subsequently depends on the quality of the surgeons’ work and the individual characteristics of the skin, but in most cases, repeated suturing leads to the formation of a denser scar than with a single procedure. The period of complete healing ranges from 2 weeks to 2 months and depends on the individual characteristics of the skin, as well as the presence or absence of inflammation after suturing.

Signs of seam divergence

Most often, the suture begins to separate at the end of the incision.

Internal seams come apart quite rarely. This can happen if the body rejects the suture material due to individual intolerance to its components. Dehiscence of external stitches on the perineum is more common and usually occurs within a few days after the threads are removed. A woman may feel discomfort in this area and notice suspicious discharge. If you suspect something is wrong, examine your genitals using a mirror. If the external suture does not bleed or look inflamed, most likely the cause of concern is gynecological problems or failure of internal postpartum sutures. We list the signs of divergence of the external seam that should alert a young mother:

changes in color and consistency vaginal discharge- the appearance of blood or purulent inclusions;
redness and swelling of the genitals;
increased body temperature;
burning at the wound site;
acute pain in the perineum, aggravated by movement.

Therapy after re-suturing

After suturing, you cannot do without the use of antiseptic drugs, which are used to treat the wound until it heals completely 1-2 times a day. These include:

If complications develop, the sutures heal slowly, or after they are re-applied, the doctor may prescribe a course of treatment using anti-inflammatory medications. Medicinal composition soak the gauze pad and fix it with underwear or adhesive tape, in contact with the perineum. At internal seams A tampon lubricated with medication is inserted into the vagina. Change the pad or tampon 1-2 times a day in accordance with the doctor's instructions. Commonly prescribed medications include:

Levomekol ointment. Designed for processing purulent wounds. The duration of treatment is determined individually and lasts until the discharge of pus stops. During lactation the drug is contraindicated. The ointment is considered highly effective; the result, as a rule, is noticeable within a few days after the start of use. The price of the drug is about 150 rubles.
Vishnevsky ointment (Balsamic liniment). Specific smell This ointment has been familiar to many since childhood - in the Soviet past it was used as an external anti-inflammatory agent everywhere. The drug is considered quite effective today, and does not lose its position, despite the active development of pharmacology. Contains components of natural origin that provide a characteristic odor - tar, Castor oil, xeroform. The drug is considered one of the safest, has no side effects and is contraindicated only in case of individual intolerance to the components. The price of the ointment is also reasonable - about 30–50 rubles.
Solcoseryl gel and ointment. One of the most modern means for processing postpartum and other types of sutures. The active substance is of natural origin, obtained by chemical processing of calf blood. It is used to treat wounds without purulent discharge, suitable for treating sutures with signs of inflammation, swelling, and redness. Side effects have not been identified, a contraindication is an allergy to the components of the product. The duration of treatment is determined individually. The price of the drug is 400–450 rubles.

Photo gallery: products for treatment and healing

Solcoseryl gel is suitable for eliminating redness and swelling of sutures A solution of brilliant green is popularly called brilliant green In maternity hospitals, sutures are treated with solutions of potassium permanganate, furatsilin, Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide Levomekol ointment is used to treat purulent wounds In modern pharmacies it may be difficult to find the original Vishnevsky ointment, but there are available ones analogues

Reviews from women

sewed. though the seam is not very big. I sold out because I got an infection and they didn’t pay attention to my complaints for a long time. I went to another maternity hospital (because there was no longer any trust in it. And I did the right thing) and it turned out that everything was very neglected. A “pocket” has formed with a large amount of pus (already!). First we cured this problem. treated for 1.5 months. then the seams were re-adjusted. but alas. It's really my own fault. I had to take care of myself and not lift anything heavier than a mug of tea. I decided to take a walk with my baby in a stroller. Well, I lowered them down from the fourth, without an elevator, but when I lifted them up, I tensed up. I didn’t go for a third stitch. and now it’s just plastic surgery, but I got over the disease and now I don’t have any complexes in my mind.

it's unpleasant for me
https://eva.ru/static/forums/153/2006_3/595985.html

No need to sew anything!!! And no one will stitch you up anymore, when I saw I had even more, 3 cm stitches came apart, I went to the doctor, she prescribed treatment and I did everything and everything healed on its own
Alexa

It happened to me! With the first child the seam came apart, went to the gynecologist, she again cut off the walls (so that they would grow together well) and stitched them up again... After the second one, the seam also came apart, but not much (I just had cracks), I didn’t go anywhere and so it healed...

ツॐइॐºLoveลshkลツॐइॐº
https://www.baby.ru/popular/razoselsa-sov-na-promeznosti/

Advice on alterations does not help, this is decided by the doctor. And it’s not always possible to sew it up again right away; the edges should be treated. I experienced a similar situation, the doctor advised me to syringe chlorhexidine, dry it, then apply Solcoseryl GEL (4 times a day) for 5 days. After epithelialization, apply Solcoseryl ointment. And the defects can then be sharpened using a laser or cosmetic method! Be healthy!

Alexandra

I was stitched up again 3 months after giving birth... before that I smeared 4 times a day with levomekol, baneocin, then methylurocil and inserted iodine suppositories (I don’t remember the name)... they made a cosmetic stitch... after 10 days I was allowed to sit with stitches.

VER4EVI4
https://www.babyblog.ru/community/post/vosstanovlenie/1697328

Well, I actually had one seam come apart, I applied it with levomikol, it didn’t heal perfectly, but the gynecologist said that she didn’t see the point in plastic surgery, because... still spasms.

Natalia Milova
https://www.babyblog.ru/community/post/vosstanovlenie/1697328

But I remembered about the seams whole month! Until the threads fell off! Because of them, everything hurt terribly (they pulled it too tight or something). I washed myself with potassium permanganate, then with chamomile, and smeared with D-panthenol and some other healing agents. But when the threads fell off, the pain disappeared!

https://forum.materinstvo.ru/lofiversion/index.php/t26195–250.html

Prevention measures

To prevent the sutures from coming apart in the first days after childbirth, the woman is recommended to go to bed.

After giving birth, a woman must follow special rules hygiene and a number of recommendations so as not to provoke divergence of seams in the perineum. It is important to limit motor activity, regularly treat wounds with antiseptics, avoid squats. To minimize the risk of complications, follow these recommendations:

on the first day after birth you can only lie down;
from the second day it is permissible to walk and stand;
sitting is allowed no earlier than 1–2 weeks after birth on a hard surface in the absence of pain;
The baby should be fed in a lying position;
underwear should not be tight, made from natural, breathable materials;
sex life start no earlier than 6 weeks after birth;
It is necessary to wash yourself daily using baby soap;
wipe the perineum with blotting movements with a clean cotton towel;
treat the wound regularly with antiseptics and ointments as prescribed by the doctor;
use postpartum pads until the lochia stops, change them every 2-3 hours;
food should be dietary, preventing the development of constipation;
soften if necessary feces glycerin suppositories;
Do not lift loads that exceed the weight of the child.

The ban on sitting down requires special attention. A woman is allowed to half-squat on the toilet from the first day. In other cases, she can only lie down or stand. After about 1–2 weeks, you are allowed to take a reclining position. Then you can try to sit on hard stool. Only after the stitches have completely healed is it permissible to sit on soft surfaces - on a bed, sofa, pillow.

Possible negative consequences and complications

Pain, physical discomfort, development of infections - possible complications after seams come apart

If you ignore the signs of suture dehiscence, the woman feels pain and discomfort and risks infecting the wound. In the future, such a seam will look unsightly, the skin may be deformed, and the situation can only be corrected with the help of plastic surgery. In the postpartum period, it is necessary to closely monitor your well-being and appearance seam Let's list the possible Negative consequences from seams coming apart.

During childbirth, situations often arise when it is necessary to apply stitches. Their presence requires increased caution from the young mother and, of course, certain skills in caring for this temporary “risk zone.”

When are stitches needed?

If the birth took place through the natural birth canal, then the sutures are the result of the restoration of the soft tissues of the cervix, vagina, and perineum. Let us recall the reasons that could lead to the need for sutures.

Cervical ruptures most often occur in a situation where the cervix has not yet fully opened, and the woman begins to push. The head puts pressure on the cervix, and the latter ruptures.

An incision in the perineum may appear for the following reasons:
quick birth - in this case, the fetal head experiences significant stress, so doctors make it easier for the baby to pass through the perineum: this is necessary in order to reduce the likelihood of injuries to the baby’s head;
premature birth - dissection of the perineum pursues the same goals as during rapid birth;
the baby is born in a breech position - the tissues of the perineum are cut so that there are no obstacles during the birth of the head;
at anatomical features the woman’s perineum (the tissue is inelastic or there is a scar from a previous birth), due to which the baby’s head cannot be born normally;
the expectant mother should not push due to severe myopia or for any other reasons;
there are signs of a threat of rupture of the perineum - in this case it is better to make an incision, since the edges of a wound made with scissors heal better than the edges of a wound formed as a result of a rupture.

If the baby was born by caesarean section, then the young mother has postoperative suture on the front abdominal wall.

Various materials are used to apply sutures to the perineum and anterior abdominal wall. The choice of a doctor depends on the indications, available capabilities, technique adopted in a given medical institution, and other circumstances. Thus, synthetic or natural self-absorbable suture material, non-absorbable suture material or metal staples can be used. The last two types suture materials removed on the 4-6th day after birth.

Now that we have remembered why seams may appear, let's talk about how to care for them. If there is a stitch, the young mother must be fully prepared and know how to behave so that the rehabilitation period goes as smoothly as possible and does not leave any unpleasant consequences.

Stitches on the crotch

Healing of small wounds and sutures occurs within 2 weeks - 1 month after birth, deeper injuries take much longer to heal. IN postpartum period It is necessary to take all precautions so that an infection does not develop at the site of the sutures, which can then enter the birth canal. Proper care behind the damaged perineum will reduce pain and speed up wound healing.

To care for sutures on the cervix and vaginal walls, all you need to do is follow the rules of hygiene, no additional care not required. These sutures are always placed with absorbable material, so they are not removed.

In the maternity hospital, the sutures in the perineum are treated by the midwife of the department 1-2 times a day. To do this, she uses brilliant green or a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate.

Sutures on the perineum, as a rule, are also applied with self-absorbing threads. The nodules disappear on the 3-4th day - on the last day of stay in the maternity hospital or in the first days at home. If the suture was made with non-absorbable material, the sutures are also removed on the 3-4th day.

In caring for seams on the perineum also important role compliance with the rules of personal hygiene plays a role. Every two hours it is necessary to change the pad or diaper, regardless of its filling. You should only use loose cotton underwear or special disposable panties.

It is also necessary to wash your face every two hours (after each visit to the toilet; you need to go to the toilet with such frequency that the bladder did not prevent uterine contractions).

In the morning and evening, when you take a shower, the perineum should be washed with soap, and during the day you can simply wash it with water. You need to wash the seam on the crotch quite thoroughly - you can simply direct a stream of water at it. After washing, you need to dry the perineum and the area of the seams by blotting the towel from front to back.

If there are stitches on the perineum, the woman is not allowed to sit for 7-14 days (depending on the degree of damage). At the same time, you can sit on the toilet already on the first day after birth. Speaking of the toilet, many women are afraid severe pain and try to skip bowel movements, as a result the load on the perineal muscles increases and the pain intensifies.

As a rule, in the first day or two after childbirth, there is no stool due to the fact that the woman was given a cleansing enema before giving birth, and during childbirth the woman in labor does not eat. Stool appears on the 2-3rd day. To avoid constipation after childbirth, avoid eating foods that have a constipating effect. If the problem of constipation is not new to you, drink a tablespoon of vegetable oil before each meal. The stool will be soft and will not affect the healing process of the sutures.

In the vast majority of cases, it is recommended to sit on the 5-7th day after birth - on the buttock opposite the side of the injury. You need to sit on a hard surface. On the 10-14th day you can sit on both buttocks. The presence of seams on the perineum must be taken into account when traveling home from the maternity hospital: it will be convenient for the young mother to lie or half-sit in the back seat of the car. It’s good if the baby sits comfortably in his personal car seat and does not occupy his mother’s hands.

It happens that the scars remaining after the stitches have healed still cause discomfort and pain. They can be treated with heating, but not earlier than two weeks after birth, when the uterus has already contracted. To do this, use “blue”, infrared or quartz lamp. The procedure should be carried out for 5-10 minutes from a distance of at least 50 cm, but if a woman has sensitive White skin, it must be increased to a meter to avoid burns. This procedure can be done independently at home after consulting a doctor or in a physical therapy room.

If a woman feels discomfort at the site of a formed scar, or the scar is rough, then to eliminate these phenomena the doctor may recommend Contractubex ointment - it should be applied 2 times a day for several weeks. With the help of this ointment, it will be possible to reduce the volume of scar tissue formed and reduce discomfort in the scar area.

Sutures after caesarean section

After a caesarean section, the sutures are monitored especially carefully. For 5-7 days after the operation (before removing the sutures or staples), the procedural nurse of the postpartum department daily treats the postoperative suture with antiseptic solutions (for example, brilliant green) and changes the bandage.

On the 5-7th day, the sutures and bandage are removed. If the wound was sutured with absorbable suture material (such material is used when applying the so-called cosmetic seam), then the wound is treated in the same way, but the sutures are removed (such threads completely dissolve on the 65-80th day after surgery).

The skin scar forms approximately on the 7th day after surgery; therefore, already a week after a caesarean section you can shower completely calmly. Just don’t rub the seam with a washcloth - this can only be done in another week.

Cesarean section surgery is quite serious. surgical intervention, in which the incision passes through all layers of the anterior abdominal wall. Therefore, of course, a young mother is worried about pain in the area of surgical intervention.

In the first 2-3 days, painkillers, which are administered to the woman intramuscularly, help to cope with painful sensations. But already from the first days to reduce painful sensations mother is recommended to wear a special postpartum bandage or tie up your belly with a diaper.

After a caesarean section, young mothers often have a question: will the seam come apart if you take the baby in your arms? Indeed, after abdominal operations surgeons do not allow their patients to lift more than 2 kg for 2 months. But how can you say this to a woman who has to take care of a baby? Therefore, obstetricians do not recommend that parents after a cesarean section lift more than 3-4 kg during the first time (2-3 months), that is, more than the weight of the child.

Possible complications

If pain, redness, or discharge from the wound appears in the area of the suture on the perineum or anterior abdominal wall: bloody, purulent, or any other, then this indicates the occurrence of inflammatory complications - suppuration of the sutures or dehiscence. In this case, you need to consult a doctor.

Depending on the severity of the condition, the doctor will prescribe the woman local treatment. In the presence of purulent-inflammatory complications, this can be Vishnevsky ointment or Syntomycin emulsion (they are used for several days), then, when the wound is cleared of pus and begins to heal, Levomekol is prescribed, which promotes wound healing.

Once again, I would like to emphasize that treatment of complications should only take place under the guidance of a doctor. Perhaps a midwife will come to the patient’s home to treat the sutures, or maybe the young mother herself will have to go to the antenatal clinic, where the procedure will be performed.

Exercises for healing stitches

To speed up the healing process, try to tense your muscles whenever possible. pelvic floor to increase blood flow. An example of such an exercise: contract the muscles around the vagina upward and inward as if you need to stop the flow of urine. Maintain this position for a count of 6. Relax. Such exercises can be repeated several times a day, alternating tension and relaxation 5-8 times.

A frequent complication is rupture of soft tissues during pushing and the birth of the baby. The situation in each case is individual, depending on the elasticity of the uterus and vagina, the size of the fetus and its correct attachment. If stitches cannot be avoided, daily care is necessary to promote rapid healing.

Self-absorbing sutures: advantages

Postpartum sutures can be divided into internal and external. Internal ones are applied for rupture of the cervix and vaginal walls. The cause is rapid labor, large fetuses and incomplete dilatation of the uterus.

Self-absorbable sutures are mainly used for internal organ injuries.

Access to the sutures is difficult and repeated intervention is not advisable. The resorption time directly depends on the composition of the threads. Materials are considered absorbable when their strength is lost within 30-60 days. There is an influence of water and proteins on the composition of the cross-linking fabric.

For stitching use:

Catgut threads disappear from 30 to 120 days, depending on the thickness of the material.
Lavsan – from 20 to 50 days.
Vicryl – 50-80 days.

Self-absorbing sutures do not require additional processing. In a month they will resolve on their own. You just need to maintain personal hygiene and avoid sexual relations for 2 months, do not carry heavy objects and promptly prevent problems with bowel movements. Doctors recommend taking a tablespoon of vegetable oil before meals to ease the process of passing stool.

How long do sutures take to heal after childbirth: a pressing issue for women in labor

External sutures after childbirth are applied when the posterior commissure is torn or when the perineum is dissected. An episiotomy is a surgical incision made to prevent vaginal rupture and free passage of the fetus during complicated labor. Suturing an even incision is less painful and better quality. Natural tears take a long time to heal and look less aesthetically pleasing.

Indications for surgical incision:

The threat of rupture of the perineum, which is diagnosed visually when the tissue is strongly stretched to the point of transparency. May occur in pregnant women diabetes mellitus, skin diseases, dryness of the epidermis.
To facilitate pushing for pregnant women with pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Abnormal bleeding, to speed up the birth process.
Premature birth.
Large fruit.
First multiple pregnancy.
Threat of fetal injury due to incorrect breech presentation.

An episio cut is much better than a burst wound. Smooth edges are easier to stitch, matching them as physiologically as possible. The suture heals faster without suppuration and swelling. Nylon, vicryl, and silk threads are usually applied to the external seams. They do not dissolve on their own, but provide a strong connection between the edges of the wound and the suture does not separate.

Wounds heal within 10-14 days, if there were no complications.

All this time, the woman will experience pain when walking, sitting down, or defecating. Many women are concerned about the question: how long will it take for the stitches to be removed? Usually the procedure is carried out 5-7 days after surgery, with normal healing.

How to heal stitches faster after childbirth: standard rules

In most cases, internal seams do not bother a woman. Special attention given to external wounds. To heal stitches faster, you need to follow some rules. For the first 3 days, you need to wash with warm water every 2 hours. Carry out care with a sterile, lint-free towel, only blotting. Treat the perineum with brilliant green or potassium permanganate; these procedures are carried out by a nurse in the maternity hospital. Change postpartum pads frequently. Wear comfortable underwear made from natural materials.

To prevent the seam from coming apart, it is prohibited:

Sit down for the first 10 days;
Lift weights other than your child for 60 days;
Be sexually active for a month;
Comb out the seams.

After a few days, the woman in labor can sit, first on one buttock, then lean completely on a chair. It is necessary to ensure gentle bowel movements. To do this, strictly monitor your diet, avoiding constipation. It is also not recommended to shave until the scarring is complete. This procedure can cause severe irritation on the labia, which in turn leads to inflammation of the suture tissue, severe itching and suppuration.

The method of performing a cesarean section affects wound healing. This procedure is considered a strip operation, and pain may persist for several months.

At emergency surgery, the incision is made vertically, from the navel to the pubis. In this case, the abdominal walls are sutured, which makes the recovery period quite long. A horizontal suture with cosmetic suturing of the wound is more gentle. This incision looks much better and is almost invisible after scarring. After the operation, painkillers are prescribed. You can't keep track. The next day the woman should get up. Movement helps improve blood circulation, promotes uterine contractions and better healing birth sutures.

How to treat sutures after childbirth: antiseptics and painkillers

It is necessary to care for sutures in the postoperative period even after discharge from the hospital. Treatment of seams at home is carried out with hydrogen peroxide and various creams: Bepanten, Solcoseryl, Levomekol. The seam on the abdomen can be treated with brilliant green, applying the drug around the wound for 3 weeks.

A special bandage, which can be purchased at orthopedic stores, will help speed up recovery.

Many women note that the stitches hurt for a long time, especially after cesarean section and perineal rupture. Emotional condition Women in labor during this period are extremely unstable, which can affect lactation. Rectal and vaginal suppositories: Diclofenac, Ketanol, Voltoren. You need to find out which drug is best to use from your supervising doctor.

If the wound is not properly cared for, some complications may occur:

Supuration of the suture. If severe pain occurs, when hydrogen peroxide is applied, the wounds pinch, pull, and come out yellowish discharge, this indicates that the seam has festered. Symptoms may be accompanied by an increase in body temperature. The scar festers due to improper hygiene or due to a birth infection. The specialist will prescribe additional treatment using antibacterial drugs.
Seams coming apart. The situation may arise in the first days after surgery or after removal of sutures. Tissues can separate for several reasons: early sitting, too sudden movements, poor connection of the wound, infection. If the stitches come apart at home, the main thing is to contact a surgeon in time. If necessary, the doctor will re-incise and stitch the wound.
Suture inflammation. Painful sensations in the first days after childbirth operations are normal. When the threads are removed, but it hurts to stand, sit and pulls in the stitches, the wounds may have become inflamed. This requires the help of a specialist.

If, after returning home, the wound bleeds, the scar is swollen, the area around looks reddened, purulent discharge or lumps, you need to be examined by a gynecologist. Postpartum complications require immediate treatment. Inattention to the body can lead to purulent inflammation or blood poisoning.

Perineum after childbirth: forecasts for the future

For perineal ruptures, as well as episiotomies, sutures are placed immediately after childbirth. So that it doesn't happen inflammatory process, it is necessary to match the wounds as accurately as possible. If the tissues are poorly sutured, their rupture, suppuration and a long recovery period are possible. The healing process depends on the suture materials used. IN in rare cases patients complain of itching in the perineum. The reason may be allergic reaction for thread materials.

For each woman, the recovery process is individual. For some, the scars stop hurting after 5-6 weeks, for others it takes months. Many women in labor cannot understand why the scars itch. If there is no severe pain, the condition is normal. The scar itches as it heals. To remove itching, you need to wash yourself more often cool water. Experts recommend doing special contraction Kegel exercises, which help restore the vaginal muscles.

Some women are interested in what product will help smooth out external scars. Doctors often prescribe Contractubex ointment, which they begin to apply after the stitch has healed. Feedback from women in labor showed that the gel can improve the cosmetic effect of scars, making them lighter and less noticeable. With a caesarean section, cosmetic incisions will not be visible externally after 8-12 months.

How to treat stitches after childbirth (video)

Maintaining hygiene, following medical recommendations and an optimistic attitude contribute to positive dynamics for tissue fusion. Soon the wounds will heal, the swelling on the leg will go down, and the woman will be able to fully enjoy maternal happiness.

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

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

Depending on where exactly the rupture occurred, there are external (on the perineum) and internal sutures 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-absorbing sutures that do not have to be removed later; as well as vicryl, caproag, PHA;
advantages: do not cause inconvenience, are not felt, do not cause complications;
care: not required.

Stitches in the vagina

cause: birth injuries, vaginal ruptures of varying depths;
anesthesia: local anesthesia with novocaine or lidocaine;
suture material: catgut;
disadvantages: pain persists for several days;
care: not required.

Stitches on the crotch

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

A particular problem is caused by external sutures after childbirth, which are performed on the perineum. They can cause various kinds of complications (suppuration, inflammation, infection, etc.), and therefore require special, regular care. The 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.

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

when using self-absorbing threads, healing occurs within 2 weeks, the scars themselves resolve in about a month and do not cause much trouble;
Much more problematic is the question of how long it takes for sutures to heal when using other materials: they are removed only 5-6 days after birth, their healing takes from 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the individual characteristics of the body and care for them;
The healing time of postpartum scars may increase when microbes enter the wounds, so the ability to treat wound surfaces and monitor their cleanliness is required.

In an effort to quickly return to their previous lifestyle and get rid of painful sensations, young mothers are looking for ways to quickly heal stitches after childbirth, so that they do not interfere with them enjoying the joy of communicating with their newborn. This will directly depend on how careful the woman is and whether she competently cares for her postpartum “combat” wounds.

How to care for seams?

If ruptures cannot be avoided, you need to find out in advance how to care for sutures after childbirth in order to avoid complications and speed up their healing. The doctor must give detailed advice and tell you how to do this correctly. This is included in his professional responsibilities, so don't hesitate to ask. Typically, caring for sutures after childbirth involves sedentary lifestyle life, compliance with hygiene rules and treatment with various wound healing and antiseptic agents.

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

What complications can occur when suturing?

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

Pain:

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

The seam has come apart:

if after childbirth the seam comes apart, it is strictly forbidden to do anything at home;
in this case, you need to call a doctor or an ambulance;
if suture dehiscence was actually diagnosed after childbirth, most often they are reapplied;
but if the wound has already healed, this will not require any medical intervention;
in such cases, after examination, the doctor will prescribe how to treat the sutures after childbirth: usually wound-healing ointments or suppositories.

very often women complain that their sutures itch after childbirth, and very much so - as a rule, this does not indicate any abnormalities or pathologies;
itching is most often a symptom of healing, and therefore should not cause anxiety in a woman;
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 hot);
This also applies to those cases when the seam is pulled: this is how they heal; but in this case, check yourself to see if you started sitting down too early and if you have to carry weights.

Festering:

if a woman notices an unpleasant, abnormal discharge (not to be confused with), bad-smelling and suspiciously brownish-green in color, this may mean suppuration, which is serious danger for good health;
if the suture festers, you should definitely tell your doctor about it;
This is how complications such as inflammation of the sutures after childbirth or their divergence can occur - both cases require medical intervention;
if infection occurs, antibiotics may be prescribed;
For external treatment, it is recommended to smear with Malavit shvygel, Levomekol, Solcoseryl, Vishnevsky ointments;
if the scars fester, only a doctor can prescribe what can be used to treat them: in addition to the above-mentioned anti-inflammatory and wound-healing gels and ointments, chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide are also used, which disinfect wound cavities.

Bleeding:

if after childbirth there is sutureitis, most likely, the basic rule was violated - do not sit during the first weeks: the tissues are stretched and the wound surfaces are exposed;
in this case, it is not recommended to treat the problem area yourself with something, but to contact a specialist directly;
alterations may be required;
but most often it is enough to use wound-healing ointments and gels (Solcoseryl, for example).

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

How are stitches removed?

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

And yet, the main question that concerns all women undergoing 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 It just reminds me of a mosquito bite. However, everything will depend on pain threshold women, which is different for everyone. If there were no complications, there will actually be no pain: only an unusual tingling mixed with a burning sensation is felt. Accordingly, anesthesia is not required.

Childbirth is an unpredictable process, so anything can happen. However, 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 causes a minimum of discomfort with proper care.