Tell me about getting stitched up w/out an Epi.

blp0118

I am planning on trying for a natural birth. I also know that things sometimes happen and things don't go as planned....but I want to try if things are going 'well' and 'normal' -  I know this sounds crazy, but a big fear of mine is getting stitched up if I tear and how that all goes down if you don't have an epi.  I know that fear increases pain.... So I'm trying to find out.... What do they do if you tear and you haven't had an epi?  Do they give you a novocaine type shot? Do you not even notice? Does it depend on the severity of the tear? --- What have you ladies been through?

TIA!

Tarta

Yes, they give you a shot of local anesthetic before stitching you up. It's not really painful. I found it more uncomfortable than anything. I was laying there with my baby on my chest and I just wanted to sit up and really look at him and get comfortable, but I had to lay there until the MW was done stitching me up. I was more annoyed about being stuck in that position than I was anything else. It really didn't take long, but I wanted to get a good look at my baby.

Really, in the scheme of birthing, the stitches were no big deal at all. I should probably mention that I only had a second degree tear which was pretty minimal. More severe tearing would probably result in a longer stitching time and possibly more pain after the anesthetic wears off.

Anxiousmami

With my first I tore up into my vajayjay, not down like most people, anywho in the moment your so adrenaline high of meeting and seeing your new baby it's not too much of an issue like PP said it's def uncomforteable but not the worst part. Afterall we all want our vag back to normal as possible. Just make the most of tucks they are awesome!

Dman85

I had 2 tiny hairline tears that needed stitches. They gave me a shot of lidocaine which I didn't even feel. I was to busy looking at and holding my baby while they did it.

RMama2012

It's really NBD.  I got the anesthetic for my perineum which I barely felt.  I actually tore on top as well and it was literally one stitch and the OB did that without the anesthetic (with my consent) and I barely felt that either.

bandwife

I'm going to be too honest on this one and tell you my med-free birth post-labour stitch up for a 2nd degree tear was one of the low lights of my home birth. They did use a numbing cream - I think? - but I was very uncomfortable and had to do focused breathing through the whole thing because it was quite painful.

Now, I had a home birth and was being stitched up in a slightly awkward position. One of my legs was resting on a laundry hamper.  Also, one of the MWs was instructing the student midwife on how to do it. I wish I had asked for one of the MWs to do it instead.

I think my experience was an outlier for having a med-free birth. 

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RMama2012:

It's really NBD.nbsp; I got the anesthetic for my perineum which I barely felt.nbsp; I actually tore on top as well and it was literally one stitch and the OB did that without the anesthetic with my consent and I barely felt that either.

I also had one stitch done without any anesthetic , also my choice. In my case it would have felt the same either way. Two pricks for the anesthetic or two pricks for the suture.

abell77

With both of my births, I had a second degree tear.  They gave me a shot of local anasthetic and I also asked for oral pain meds that were safe for breastfeeding, but those probably hadn't kicked in by the time they started the stitches, but helped alleviate some of the soreness afterward.  It really wasn't that bad.  I would describe it more like a sharp pinch.  But the good news is that by that point you have your baby lying on your chest and it's a great distraction.  Try not to let this fear worry you too much.

RMama2012

ArmyQM:

RMama2012:

It's really NBD.nbsp; I got the anesthetic for my perineum which I barely felt.nbsp; I actually tore on top as well and it was literally one stitch and the OB did that without the anesthetic with my consent and I barely felt that either.

I also had one stitch done without any anesthetic , also my choice. In my case it would have felt the same either way. Two pricks for the anesthetic or two pricks for the suture.

 exactly

georgi611

Tarta:

Yes, they give you a shot of local anesthetic before stitching you up. It's not really painful. I found it more uncomfortable than anything. I was laying there with my baby on my chest and I just wanted to sit up and really look at him and get comfortable, but I had to lay there until the MW was done stitching me up. I was more annoyed about being stuck in that position than I was anything else. It really didn't take long, but I wanted to get a good look at my baby.

Really, in the scheme of birthing, the stitches were no big deal at all. I should probably mention that I only had a second degree tear which was pretty minimal. More severe tearing would probably result in a longer stitching time and possibly more pain after the anesthetic wears off.

 

I agree with everything you said.  This is exactly how I felt.  I didn't even notice they were stitching me up (2nd degree tear) because DH and I were too busy admiring our beautiful baby on my chest.

LaurelBee

I had an episiotomy (downwards) and tore (upwards). I asked my OB how many stitches I needed and she said "Does it really matter?" And I said we'll, no I guess not. So I don't know how badly I tore or was cut, but it did take a while. I felt one pinch of the anesthetic needle (like a typical shot,) then it was all numb. I could feel tugging sensations, but I wouldn't say it was painful. I remember saying how great I felt down there for just having a baby! I was not singing the same tune a few hours later when the numbing shot wore off... After having a baby, stitches are nbd

Alliebooberz

Tarta:

Yes, they give you a shot of local anesthetic before stitching you up. It's not really painful. I found it more uncomfortable than anything. I was laying there with my baby on my chest and I just wanted to sit up and really look at him and get comfortable, but I had to lay there until the MW was done stitching me up. I was more annoyed about being stuck in that position than I was anything else. It really didn't take long, but I wanted to get a good look at my baby. Really, in the scheme of birthing, the stitches were no big deal at all. I should probably mention that I only had a second degree tear which was pretty minimal. More severe tearing would probably result in a longer stitching time and possibly more pain after the anesthetic wears off.

This. And I loathed my OB so I wanted her gone ASAP, and that was the worst part. I swear she added extra stitches just cause. ::shakes fist::

But seriously it's no big deal. The adrenaline from having a baby will be so strong you won't even remember!

sschwege

I had two second degree tears to the side.  They used a liquid lidocaine to numb the area first, then she numbed it with an injection (not sure what that was), then stitched me back up.  After she was done she poured the liquid lidocaine over it again to keep me comfortable.  

oliversmommy32912

I had a second degree tear but it went pretty much from my cervix, down my vagina, and to my sphincter. I was being repaired for over an hour. I'm not going to lie, if was painful. They numbed me for the most part with lidocaine but it wore off multiple times before they were finished. They also gave me a narcotic after 20 minutes or so because I had such a hard time holding still. I actually think it affected my bonding a little in the beginning because I didn't want to hold the baby until the stitches were done because I was so uncomfortable.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, it was not the worst part of the whole process. I do not regret having an unmedicated birth. I do regret pushing the baby out so fast. I only pushed for 15 minutes and the baby shot out so my body did not have time to stretch. I went from crowning to the baby coming out in two pushes. I had a hospital staff and with everyone yelling at me to push harder I figured I wasn't doing it right so I pushed as hard as I could and it wasn't necessary. Next time I will be having a home birth or birth center birth where the environment is calmer. I definitely think having a hospital birth contributed to my negative experience.

aylafsu88

Your doctor will give you a shot of local anesthetic before stitching you up.  I am terrified of needles but after pushing LO out, I could barely feel the needle when he numbed me up down there.  I had a second degree tear that was bigger than he thought it was and it took 30 mins to stitch up. I did not feel a thing until he ran into an area that was not numb. Those 2 stitches in the un-numb area hurt like h**l.  I screamed louder than I did when I pushed LO out!   He apologized and numbed the new area he was working on.  Then it was NBD while he finished up.

thebigmare4

I had second degree tearing. First, let me give you advice. Repeat after me, "I will not tear". I'm a firm believer in mind over body and I regret that I kept saying before my son's birth that I "knew" I would tear.

 I felt the tear as it happened. No, it didn't feel like a tear. Just a localized pain. I do not feel him crowning though.

 I asked for add'l local novocaine for the stitching because I felt it and believe me, it felt weird. It seemed that the stitching took longer than the birth. 

 I will also add that my mw wanted me to have a shot of pit to deliver the placenta since I had a crazy fast delivery. She could have said that she needed to chop off my leg. I had my baby, I had my crazy baby natural birth high. I watched the nurse stick me in the leg for the shot and I didn't feel a thing.  

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LalaMama81:

RMama2012:

ArmyQM:

RMama2012:

It's really NBD.nbsp; I got the anesthetic for my perineum which I barely felt.nbsp; I actually tore on top as well and it was literally one stitch and the OB did that without the anesthetic with my consent and I barely felt that either.

I also had one stitch done without any anesthetic , also my choice. In my case it would have felt the same either way. Two pricks for the anesthetic or two pricks for the suture.

 exactly

 

That's pretty much where I was - 2 stitches I think, my MW gave me the choice to get the shot of lidocaine but her opinion (and what she said she'd do for herself) was to skip the shot b/c the lidocaine burns and it would be quicker to just do the stitches and get it over with. Sure, it hurt, but I was hold my new baby! 

Did we have the same MW? Because that's the reasoning I got too and my doula agreed.

My repair for my 2nd degree tear after my epi birth was 1000x worse than doing one stitch without anything. They turned off the epi as I was pushing so it wore off by the time I got sutured and I felt everything. It was awful.

jinnymb

I had second degree tear with both births.  The first I had an epi and the second I went med-free. 

With the epi I felt tugging.  With med-free they gave me a shot and stitches and it did hurt more because I was not completely numb. 

It was not unbearable though, especially after having no meds for labor.  I did find with the med-free recovery I was very sore in the beginning but felt great by the time I left the hospital. I didn't move as much right away, used lots of ice, and respected my limits.

With the epi delivery I had a false sense of okay, if that makes sense.  So I was really sore for days later since I pushed myself too hard.

nosoup4u

I had a second degree tear with my younger son, and being stitched up wasn't very bad. Giving birth was much harder! They gave me some sort of shot, which wasn't fun, but no worse than a usual shot, and then I was busy talking to people and checking out my son to notice much while I was getting sewn up. The biggest thing I remember is that my legs got really stiff from being up while it was happening, but there were enough people around to help me get around at that point. Try not to worry about it!

Nechie122

I felt so much relief to be DONE and holding my beautiful daughter that the stitches weren't that bad in the grand scheme of things.

... However, while my OB was stitching me up, I said, "This hurts worse than pushing." Pushing, for me, was by far the worst part; I literally screamed my baby out. My OB was like, Did you hear yourself during pushing? And we all started laughing. She was still teasing me about it the next day. So it may hurt, but not worse than anything else you'll probably experience! And again, you're DONE at that point!

ridesbuttons

Whatever they gave me, I have no recollection of it.  Certainly no pain while getting stitched up (20 or so minutes of stitching).  Nice guy, good conversation.

He suggested an anti-inflammatory best administered as a suppository for swelling while he was doing his work.  I remember saying to him "dude, can you give me a minute to consider that, I've kind of been through the ringer tonight" (pretty much word for word).  He laughed.  We chatted.  When he was done, he said "oh, by the way, I gave you that anti-inflammatory".  I didn't even notice.

I have to say, it must of worked because between that and the frozen pads I wore for a day, I was feelin' fine by day 2.

 

missmuffin87

It's really not a big deal at all. I hate needles, but I thought the shot hurt less than a normal vaccine shot. I couldn't even feel the stitches and my MW was really quick. 

pixieprincss

Our CPM is not allowed by the state to administer meds (despite her training and credential allowing her to), so a shot was not an option unless I wanted to go to the hospital. She used a bit of numbing cream. It did sting quite a bit, but I was able to breathe through it and carry on conversation.We did have DH hold the baby on the bed next to me, though, in case I jerked.

Stephorse

I did not have an epi and did have to get stitches. I'm not sure if they gave me Novocaine or not. I really did not notice at the time because I was holding my LO on the chest and I was just so in shock about everything and was so worn out that I did not feel any pain so it really wasn't that big of a deal for me, but I know my doc said that I didn't have that bad of a tear, so that may have helped matters too.

StefandTodd

They offered me the shot, and I accepted.  It stung, and I could still feel the stitches.  Reading the PP's above, I am wondering if I should've just skipped it.  Anyway, it wasn't fun, but it was not really that bad.  I was SOOOO scared of tearing.  I promise though, it's really, truly NBD.

mom2be0912

Thanks for posting this question, blp, I was just wondering the same thing!

humynone

georgi611:

Tarta:

Yes, they give you a shot of local anesthetic before stitching you up. It's not really painful. I found it more uncomfortable than anything. I was laying there with my baby on my chest and I just wanted to sit up and really look at him and get comfortable, but I had to lay there until the MW was done stitching me up. I was more annoyed about being stuck in that position than I was anything else. It really didn't take long, but I wanted to get a good look at my baby.

Really, in the scheme of birthing, the stitches were no big deal at all. I should probably mention that I only had a second degree tear which was pretty minimal. More severe tearing would probably result in a longer stitching time and possibly more pain after the anesthetic wears off.

This for both of my tears as well...exactly.  I tore less with the second, and both times I was just annoyed that I couldn't sit up all the way :P  NBD.

I agree with everything you said.  This is exactly how I felt.  I didn't even notice they were stitching me up (2nd degree tear) because DH and I were too busy admiring our beautiful baby on my chest.

JuneBug86

They give you local for stitches. Seriously, you'll have just given birth... the stitches won't hurt. I didn't even feel the stitches or even the local needle AT ALL. 

lindslalala

I didn't even realize what was going on when I was getting stitched. Everything is so raw down there right after that it's totally no big deal. My guess is I got a local anesthetic, but I really couldn't tell you. I was experiencing such an emotional high holding DS for the 1st time and trying to check him out that it barely even registered that my midwife was down there handling business. 

Joyfullnoise

I had a 3rd degree tear and no anesthesia at all. I was quaking so badly finally the surgeon sewing me up said, "I guess I haven't really done this on anyone who didn't have an epi." Yeah, you should have given me SOMETHING, woman! I sucked. A.Lot. Worse than all the rest of labor and delivery combined for me. And I had no idea what this would mean for my pooping and general recovery in the weeks following birth. Some sexual positions still hurt. 

This is 100% why we are doing a homebirth this time around. I wanted a water birth and there was not time at the hospital for it (I arrived fully dilated). Plus I think that staying relaxed and not feeling frantic will help me easy the baby out and not freak out and have him in 2 pushes = less chance of terrible tearing again.

aetg

I had an episiotomy and no local for it or the stiching.  It hurt a lot.  Of course, I was also freaking out a bit because no one had brought the baby over so I could see him so I was assuming the worst.  Waiting to be stitched up so they could THEN bring over the baby was awful. 

But I apparently I'm in the minority. 

 Also, my OB acted like a local wasn't even an option.  All he offered me was Laughing Gas.  It was all quite stupid, honestly.

JuneBug0611

I think they gave me some sort of local or numbing cream, but honestly I don't remember.  I had a second degree tear and don't remember the stitching at all.  I remember pushing the baby out, pushing the placenta out, some discomfort while they removed a clot, and then I know that they did the stitched and I imagine it was somewhat uncomfortable, but absolutely nothing compared to what had gone on before!  And at that point I had the baby on my chest, so I really didn't care!  We delayed all the washing/weighing/etc. procedures for an hour so we could bond, and that was precious time.  It was amazing having DH call my mom to tell her the baby was there, and realizing we didn't even know how long or how many pounds she was yet!  

Try not to stress about it.  It isn't bad at all, and you will do great! 

choppinbroccoli22

I had only one stitch, and while I remember that it happened, I honestly can't tell you what she did as far as anesthesia. I don't really remember much about it. I do remember that it didn't hurt.

SunnyMuffin

If its just a tiny tear requiring a few stitches they will give you the option of not stitching and letting it heal on its own, otherwise you can have a local anesthetic (freezing shot).  I actually ended up with an epidural b/c of my induction, but they still gave me the freezing shot just to be on the safe side.  

The doctor touched me down there and asked if i could feel, my answer was "i'm not sure" so he gave the freezing 

emberlee3

Joyfullnoise:

I had a 3rd degree tear and no anesthesia at all. I was quaking so badly finally the surgeon sewing me up said, "I guess I haven't really done this on anyone who didn't have an epi." Yeah, you should have given me SOMETHING, woman! I sucked. A.Lot. Worse than all the rest of labor and delivery combined for me. And I had no idea what this would mean for my pooping and general recovery in the weeks following birth. Some sexual positions still hurt. 

OMG, how awful!  I had a 3rd degree and my OB gave me a choice between conscious sedation or spinal.  I chose spinal and was so glad I did.  The repair took over an hour and a half, but I didn't feel a thing.  I also did not know I had torn until my OB told me, even though pretty much every muscle of my perineum and sphincter were torn..