Healing of perineal stitches after birth?
I feel for you! Every body is different and we all heal at our own pace. I can suggest that you rest, use a sitz bath or else try the OTC sprays to help eleviate the discomfort/pain that you're experiencing. Make sure to sit on soft surfaces too as this will help you to be more comfortable. Make sure to get plenty of rest and after urinating be careful not to wipe too hard (sorry if that seems blunt). Best of luck to you. If you notice and unusual odors or discharge make sure to contact your doctor immediately as it might be an infection. Congrats on your new baby!
After a perineal tear, how long before you had sex?
I had a 2nd degree tear as well, and my husband and I had sex at about 6 weeks, after I got the ok at my checkup. It will hurt for you at first, but as long as you take it slow and use a little lube you'll be fine. For me, it still hurts a little (my son is also 3 months), but that may be because we really haven't had sex that many times. It only really hurts when we start, once we get going it's fine.
Questions about vaginal tearing and stitches... also epidurals/back pain?
I have read a lot about tearing in the perineum... what I haven't read a lot about is tears *INSIDE* the vagina. I had my son 3 weeks ago, (New Years Eve baby!), and immediately after I had him, the doctor stitched me up. My son came out in about 6 minutes of pushing, so my vagina did not have time to stretch out. I believe this contributed a lot to the tearing. I did not have an episiotomy. Anyway, I asked the doctor how bad the tearing was and he said that it was an irregularly shaped tear. It ripped in 3 different directions inside my vagina. I have stitches on both the left and right sides of my wall, as well as 1 or 2 stitches right next to my clitoris. The swelling has gone down mostly, except for around the clitoris, which is still extremely sore and red. My stitches itch like crazy! I also have extreme pressure... I have found myself clenching my vagina closed when standing, like a never ending Kegel exercise. I think I automatically do this to relieve the pressure. I have tried to stop and relax when I realize that I am doing this, but it is often VERY uncomfortable and leads to extreme pressure. I also feel the pressure when I am sitting down, especially when trying to pee! Anyway, my questions for you ladies are: Did any of you rip inside the vagina and not your perineum? How long did your stitches take to dissolve? Did you feel this extreme pressure? If so, how long should I expect it to last? I know we are all different, but I am just curious what other peoples experiences were! Of course I will address my doctor at my 6 week checkup, just curious! Last thing - I had an epidural when I was about 7 cm... The anesthesiologist couldn't get it in the first shot, so he moved up my spine and finally got it in. It was EXTREMELY painful. 3 weeks later and the middle to lower middle area of my back (where the epidural was inserted) feels terribly sore. It feels like I have horrendous bruising and I have been having very random but very painful back spasms ever since I had the epidural. Is this normal? THANKS GALS! :)
Why are perineal tears during labor so common?
This has not been well studied, however, there is evidence that women who lay on their backs with legs spread have higher rates of tearing. Also those in a deep squat tear more. These positions make sense as being risky - the perineum is under significant tension in these positions. Women who are on their hands and knees, or sitting, standing, in a shallow squat, or side-lying have fewer tears and they are much less severe. Tears of the skin heal very quickly without any suturing, as do many shallow tears into the muscles. If the women avoid straining and keep their legs close, they heal quite well with little discomfort. Most of this info comes from other countries and from midwives, as many US doctors tend to still cut episiotomies routinely, despite the available evidence that episiotomies are seldom needed, are cut too deeply, take longer to heal, and cause more pain.
Is perineal tearing a common thing during labor? (I'm not a pregnant panicky mom, just curious about this)
The incidence of tearing varies by several factors. One is position. Women who give birth on their backs with their legs flexed deeply tear more often. Women in a real deep squat tear more often as well. Women upright, kneeling, hands & knees, etc., tear less often. A woman's long-term nutrition affects the health of her tissue. Malnourished women often have friable tissue and will tear worse. If a woman is controlling her own pushing will tear less as she gives her body time to stretch and moves into positions that allows the baby to move more easily, she will tear less as well. Episiotomies have been shown to have real risks, of further tearing and poor healing. They are easier to suture than a tear. From my own records, about 10% of women have tears, and I recommended sutures in about one-fifth of those cases, as the others were too small and would heal just fine. Of course, I encourage women to eat well before and throughout all their pregnancy, answer questions and discuss things so they aren't afraid and tense. This education (a prenatal exam takes almost an hour - with me, with us talking; the woman does not sit a lone in a room) include good positions for her to labor and deliver her baby. Most midwives like me have lower rates of tearing, and seldom cut an episiotomy.
Do you have to get stitches if you have a normal delivery?
No.My second daughter was born vaginally, with no tearing, stress fractures (they are like papercuts on your vagina,) or anything. At 8lb 7oz, not something I expected, but it was amazing not having to deal with the stitches and the aftercare that came with my first birth.
Perineum Tore during sex?
Depending on the severity of the tear, an OB/GYN may suture the tear to aid in the healing process, although recent studies have shown that not stitching perineal tearing will result in faster and easier healing. Go see your doc and get his/her opinion on the course of treatment. Note, using witch hazel pads ie. Tucks, can help with the irritation and discomfort of the tear. Hope this helps.
What do you really mean by tearing during delivery? And how bad does the stitches hurt?
I'm pregnant and just curious to know where exactly do you tear while delivering...is it interior or exterior? And when you are stitched after the tear... how bad is it? Thanks. _