tmi stitches question

cvillebetrothed · December 2009

my baby was born 3 weeks ago. i had a second degree tear and received stitches. everything has been going well, but today i've had some more stinging when going to the bathroom and it looks to me like the string from the stitches is hanging down.

obviously i don't really know what i'm looking for (not a doctor), and this isn't an emergency so i can't talk to the doctor/nurse until monday, but is this normal? should the thread (?) from the stitches be staying in there longer?

elliotandnicole · December 2009

I *think* they are supposed to dissolve, so one of your stitches could be dissolving away already, but I would def call the dr on Monday to be sure... they might just want to look at it, or could tell you for sure if it's normal.

LaceyA777 · December 2009

I'm assuming that you have the dissolving stitches. If so, i wouldn't worry cause they are doing what they are supposed to do. I had some pain like you when they started to go. Id still call Monday if you want but I wouldn't worry. It sounds normal to me.

rei511 · December 2009

Usually all of the sutures (stitches) used for vaginal repairs are dissolvable. As they dissolve you will see/feel pieces. Just leave them alone and continue to use your sitz bath or sit in a warm bath. The warm water increases blood flow to that tissue and promotes healing. I still had a piece @5weeks postpartum. As for the pain, I'm not sure why but I had some too. It turned out to be normal. Good luck!

umbcpt · December 2009

That happened to me with my first PG, and since I could not see the area, I had DH look. The stinging had stopped when I peed, and then all of sudden 2 wks pp, the stinging came back very suddenly. I was hesitant to allow him to look, but according to him, he knew what it was supposed to look like, since he had seen it more than anyone else (lol). He took one look and said call the doctor. For me, the wound healed on the outside before it healed on the inside, and my stitches came loose. So I had to go in and be restitched! All I have to say is OWWW!!! Although the OB used lidocaine, I still felt everything. If you have to go in, take a percocet (if you have any left or whatever you were prescribed in the hospital for pain) as a just in case option. I was quite upset about the stitches coming loose and that everything would look different. My OB said after a baby, everything looks different down there forever

Good luck and I pray that you don't have to get restitched.