How long does it take for stitches to heal after childbirth? How ruptures are sutured after childbirth and rules for caring for sutures for mothers

No woman is immune from ruptures during childbirth. Some new mothers do not pay enough attention to them, because with the birth of the baby, more important things arise. However, any suture placed by a doctor after a rupture must be monitored and cared for.

What types of stitches are there and when are they applied to a woman in labor?

During childbirth, for one reason or another, there is a high risk of ruptures. The doctor may use an episiotomy (cut in the perineum) to avoid injury to the fetus in the following cases:

  • when there is a threat of perineal rupture;
  • during premature or rapid labor;
  • with breech presentation of the fetus;
  • with inelasticity of the perineal tissue or the presence of a scar remaining from a previous birth;
  • due to problems for which you cannot push.

Doctors are forced to stitch:

How to treat stitches after childbirth

Typically, sutures located on the vagina and cervix do not require treatment, but for perineal sutures it is required. The main thing is to respect your personal postpartum hygiene and don't lift heavy things. Self-absorbing threads will disappear in 2-3 weeks (depending on the extent of the stitch), and the scars will heal quickly and painlessly.

Stitches after caesarean section require special care. While the woman is in the maternity hospital, the nurse treats them with antiseptics and then applies a sterile bandage. After a week, the non-absorbable sutures are removed, and the sutures continue to be processed.

Treatment of seams with Vishnevsky ointment

Vishnevsky ointment is used for inflammation of sutures. Sterile gauze wipes are impregnated with it, which are changed 2-3 times a day for three days. The ointment has an antiseptic and local irritant effect and accelerates regeneration processes. A contraindication to the use of the drug is its individual intolerance.

The price ranges from 20–40 rubles.

Vishnevsky ointment is used for inflammation of sutures

Use of Chlorhexidine

Disinfection is important for internal and external seams. Chlorhexidine is applied to a sterile gauze pad and then applied to the suture. Such procedures are carried out 2-3 times a day until the suture heals. Chlorhexidine - effective drug, used as a disinfectant. However, it is better not to use it for dermatitis and hypersensitivity.

The cost of Chlorhexidine is about 10 rubles.

Chlorhexidine is used to disinfect external and internal postpartum sutures

How to use Bepanten ointment

Bepanten can be applied to the seam after each treatment. If you no longer need it, then use the ointment after each procedure. hygiene procedures. Apply it using a sterile gauze pad, and if the seam has almost healed, then use regular cotton buds. Bepanten helps within a few hours after use, and a contraindication to its use is individual intolerance.

The cost of the drug ranges from 400 to 800 rubles.

Bepanten can be applied to seams after each hygiene procedure

I only used Bepanten ointment, which will definitely come in handy when caring for the baby (it will help with heat build-up, etc.). I had a small tear in my perineum that started to itch a few months after giving birth. After using the ointment, everything went away quickly. My daughter has very delicate skin, which sometimes causes problems. And again Bepanten ointment came in handy for me: I applied it to damaged areas of the skin under a diaper, and my daughter’s skin quickly recovered.

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

The healing process of sutures can occur in different ways. It depends on the following factors:

  • general condition of the body;
  • correct care;
  • size of damage;
  • materials used for suturing.

If synthetic absorbable materials are used for suturing, the wound will heal in 10–14 days, and the stitches themselves will dissolve in about a month. If metal brackets and non-absorbable material are used, they are removed in the maternity hospital, approximately on the fifth day. This usually happens before discharge. In this case, the wounds will take longer to heal: from two weeks to a month.

When using metal braces, the sutures are removed in the maternity hospital - on about the fifth day

I only had a small perineal tear once in all my pregnancies. I was discharged from the maternity hospital on the third day, and it bothered me for another week: it was painful to sit, I could only sit down on one side of my buttocks. And then everything suddenly passed and I forgot about the breaks.

How long do stitches hurt and how to prevent it?

Be prepared for what discomfort and pain may be present for a long time. This is due to the following pathological reasons:

  • formation of adhesions;
  • internal suppuration;
  • rejection of the stitching material by the body, etc.

On average, a postoperative suture may hurt for two weeks. All situations are individual, but there are averages depending on the type of operation and location of the suture:

  • postpartum incessant pain in the area of ​​sutures in the perineum disappears after the wounds heal (approximately 10 days after birth);
  • after caesarean section outer seam It is removed on the sixth day, and it heals within two to three weeks.

Before the stitches heal, get ready for the fact that they will remind you of themselves, although not regularly. You can alleviate the condition using the recommendations below:

  • if pain occurs when squatting or lifting heavy objects, then you need to limit the weight of objects lifted and try not to sit on both buttocks;
  • when pain in the suture area is accompanied by constipation, you need to drink more fluid:
    • green tea;
    • warm milk;
    • herbal infusion;
    • juice;
  • During sexual intercourse, there is a natural load on the perineum, vaginal dryness may occur, and as a result, the stitches begin to hurt. Use a moisturizing gel or change your position to a more pain-free one;
  • When tissues become inflamed, the sutures can pull and hurt. These sensations are accompanied by redness and purulent discharge. Contact your gynecologist and do not take risks by using self-medication methods.

Pain in the suture area in the first weeks after childbirth is a normal reaction of the body. If there are no complications, the doctor will recommend:

  • cold or warm compress(depending on the situation);
  • cream;
  • spray;
  • candles;
  • special exercises.

When the weather changes, the seams will remind you of themselves for a long time. They may “whine”, which is quite normal, but over time all unpleasant sensations should pass. Many young mothers have itchy stitches. This happens due to antiseptic treatment or wound healing.

Postpartum sutures hurt when the weather changes and itch when wounds heal

Possible complications and what to do about them

A young mother should regularly examine the stitches and “listen” to her feelings. This will help to recognize complications in time and take timely measures.

Bleeding stitches

Most often, bleeding occurs due to suture dehiscence due to the following reasons:

  • frequent sitting down;
  • violations of sterility;
  • sudden movements;
  • poor comparison of tissues during suturing;
  • failure to comply with hygiene rules.

This complication is rare and most often occurs in women with deep perineal tears. In this situation, you need to visit a gynecologist as soon as possible to prevent the occurrence of a purulent infection. The doctor will treat the wound with special antiseptics, and in some cases surgery will be required.

Bleeding at the suture is not always due to its divergence: perhaps you just move a lot and disturb it. But if appearance if the suture or its pain bothers you, it is best to visit a gynecologist.

Continuous pain in the area of ​​the stitches

If you are worried about pain in the area of ​​the sutures, then it is better to play it safe and consult a specialist. He will help solve the problem by prescribing warming up. The procedure can be performed two weeks after birth, one session lasts no longer than ten minutes.

Within two weeks after a natural birth, pain in the area of ​​the sutures is quite justified, because the tissues have not yet healed. In the case of a cesarean section, pain in the suture area may bother the woman for a month. If after this time they do not stop, then the young mother needs to see a doctor and tell him about the problem.

Feeling of heaviness in the perineum

If a young mother feels fullness, heaviness, or pain in the perineum, this may indicate accumulation of blood and the formation of a hematoma at the site of injury. Most often, the problem manifests itself in the first three days after childbirth, when the woman is still in the maternity hospital. She should notify the doctor about her feelings.

Painful swelling of wounds

Any deviation from the norm should be shown to a doctor. Swelling in the suture area after an episiotomy is called a keloid scar and is normal occurrence. This complication is classified as cosmetic and does not pose a health hazard. This scar does not cause painful sensations. Subsequently, it can be eliminated using laser technology or special ointments.

The cause of swelling at the seam may be inflammatory process. Unlike keloid scars, this complication is accompanied by severe pain. The seam also changes its appearance: it becomes dense and sometimes turns red. In advanced cases, pus is released from the wound. Sometimes the complication is accompanied by an increase in temperature. With all these manifestations, you need to urgently consult a gynecologist. The problem with this complication is that it can show itself for a long time only as a slight redness and at the last moment worsen.

Fistula after childbirth

A fistula may appear at the site of the suture - a canal that connects body cavities or hollow organs to each other or to external environment. In appearance, it resembles a post-burn blister of liquid, which periodically bursts and reappears.

The fistula resembles a post-burn blister of fluid, which periodically bursts and reappears

This complication most often occurs after episiotomy due to inflammation of the suture. If a fistula appears, you need to consult a specialist.

The fistula can also be ligature (ligature is the threads with which the suture is applied). Ligature fistula is a neoplasm that sometimes occurs after inflammation and suppuration of non-absorbable surgical threads that are used to sew together skin or mucous tissue.

Suppuration

This complication is always noticeable immediately, but it is not necessary to wait for purulent discharge to determine it. If slight redness appears at the suture site, then in this case you should consult a gynecologist. Usually suppuration is accompanied high temperature and swelling in the suture area. On initial stage complications, the gynecologist will treat the wound, and in advanced cases, surgical intervention will be required.

Seam granulation

This is a neoplasm at the suture site that does not develop into malignant tumor. With such a problem, you need to contact a gynecologist: usually the granulation is excised, but it can grow back. However, as practice shows, it is not recommended to have surgery in the first year after childbirth, because the body will begin to recover and the complication will resolve on its own. It is not necessary to excise the tumor: it is recommended to do this only in case of discomfort.

I had no complications after giving birth, but my friend had suppuration of the internal sutures, because of which she was kept in the maternity hospital for a long time. After each treatment of the seams, she left the office and climbed onto a chair standing next to the door. On this chair, the woman stood on all fours and howled in an inhuman voice. I felt very sorry for her, and it was difficult for me to imagine her pain, because I myself gave birth without ruptures.

Prevention during pregnancy to prevent ruptures during childbirth

Any to the expectant mother I want to avoid breakups. To give birth without them, pay attention to some recommendations:

  • do everything possible to give birth to the child on time;
  • take care of local “nutrition” of the perineum;
  • learn to control your muscles pelvic floor and vagina, so that when pushing, you can control the process of your own birth.

Premature birth can be associated not only with physical, but also with psychological problems women. But in any case, throughout pregnancy, a woman should not forget about exercises for pregnant women.

The expectant mother needs to take daily leisurely walks and generally be constantly on the move. At feeling unwell On the contrary, the loads need to be limited.

To prepare the perineum for childbirth, you can carry out the oiling procedure. Moreover, experts advise oiling not only the perineum, but the entire body. To do this, you need to purchase a special oil for perineal massage. However, the procedure can be carried out using any vegetable oil. Almond is the most valuable, but you can also use sesame, olive, sunflower, flavoring it with a few drops of aromatic oil.

To avoid gaps, you need to try to give birth to the baby on time

Prepare the oil and lubricate the entire body, including the intimate area. Sit for 10-15 minutes, then apply the oil again, and after 5-10 minutes begin to wash it off. To do this, prepare the composition in advance " warm water+ oatmeal, corn and pea flour.” Thanks to this “porridge” the skin will be nourished useful substances In addition, the product will absorb excess oil.

A special one will help prepare the perineum for childbirth. intimate gymnastics: alternate tension and relaxation of the vaginal muscles, which requires maximum contraction of the muscles of the anus and the entrance to the vagina.

I think that childbirth without ruptures is possible thanks to the correct behavior of the woman in labor: she needs to focus on the process and think about the baby. I did exactly this: I tried to relax and breathe, and the pain went away. Thanks to this, everything unfolded quickly. This allowed me to be distracted for a while, which was enough, and I did not call the doctors several times. But I immediately realized when it was really time to go to the chair. If you wait until the right moment, the delivery itself occurs quickly.

A woman is ready to endure the most terrible breakups in order to receive the long-awaited baby, whom she managed to fall in love with while the baby was under her heart. But a young mother is simply obliged to take care of her health: she must not only know what to do if a particular complication occurs and how to care for stitches after childbirth, but also protect herself from possible problems through careful preparation during pregnancy.

This feels like a painful lump that runs almost from the commissure of the labia, often to the side and back, rarely exceeding 2-3 cm in length. In the first days they rub a lot, causing a lot of suffering, after removing them you will feel relief. Sometimes a cosmetic intradermal suture is applied; it is not felt and is easier to tolerate.

Why do my stitches hurt after childbirth?

Because this is a sutured wound that appears as a result of a rupture or incision in the perineum. In a week it will be much easier for you, but you will fully recover in about 8 weeks, or even six months...

Let's figure out what types of suturing there are, how they are applied and how the woman is subsequently treated.

Internal - applied to tears in the cervix and vagina, they usually do not hurt and do not require any special care. They are applied from absorbable materials, there is no need to remove them, there is no need to process them in any way, there is no need to smear or douche, you just need to ensure complete sexual rest for at least 2 months, because here they are in far from ideal conditions.

In order for the wound to heal well, it needs rest and asepsis. Neither one nor the other can be fully provided; the mother will still have to get up to the child, she will have to walk. It is impossible to apply any bandage in this area, and postpartum discharge creates a breeding ground for microbes, which is why it is quite common for the sewn areas to diverge.

You can sew up the perineum using different techniques and materials, however, these are almost always removable options (they will need to be eliminated within 5-7 days). Most often, if everything goes well, they are removed in the maternity hospital, before discharge.

The treatment of stitched areas in the maternity hospital is carried out by a midwife. This can be done both on the examination chair and directly in the ward. Usually treated with brilliant green 2 times a day. In the first two weeks, the pain is very pronounced, it is difficult to walk, and sitting is prohibited; mothers feed while lying down, eat either standing or lying down.

After the surgical threads are removed and discharged from the maternity hospital, the woman will not be able to sit normally for almost another month. At first, you can only sit sideways on something hard, and even from the maternity hospital you will have to return reclining, in the back seat of the car.

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

You will feel discomfort in the area where the perineum was torn for at least 6 weeks. Yes, and care at first will have to be very thorough.

Caring for stitches after childbirth

- Self-absorbing options in the vagina and cervix area do not require special care.

External threads require careful care. Their application is most often done in layers, using removable material.

After applying them, you will have to wash yourself after each visit to the toilet. clean water with the addition of potassium permanganate, and thoroughly dry the perineum with a clean towel.

The pads will need to be changed very often as the wound needs to be dry. While you are in the maternity hospital, the midwife will perform the treatment.

Removing threads is not enough painful procedure, which significantly relieves discomfort.

In the first days, it will be necessary to delay the first bowel movement as much as possible, especially with grade 3 ruptures; in the future, it will be induced using suppositories.

It will be necessary to abstain for some time from cereals and bread, vegetables and other stool-stimulating foods. This usually does not cause big problems since before childbirth a cleansing enema is performed, which in itself can delay stool.

Dehiscence of suturings most often occurs in the first days or immediately after their removal, rarely later. The reason may be early sitting down, sudden movements, as well as such a complication as suppuration. This is not a common complication, which occurs with serious ruptures of the perineum, 2-3 degrees.

If inflammation, redness, sharp pains in the perineum, premature removal of the material restraining the perineal rupture before the wound has completely healed is not good, because this creates a rough scar. Your gynecologist will tell you how to treat the wound.

If early period went well, healing is proceeding without complications, after discharge from the hospital you will only need hygiene measures. Bepanten or another softening and healing ointment may be recommended.

When do sutures heal completely after childbirth?

On average, discomfort disappears after 2 weeks, but sex will be unpleasant for at least 2 months after the birth of the child. As it heals, a scar forms, which somewhat narrows the entrance to the vagina, making sex painful.

Choosing the most painless position, which is different for each couple, and using ointments against scars, for example, contractubex, will most likely help you cope with this.

Strange sensations in the vaginal area can bother you for quite a long time, up to six months. However, later they completely resolve.

When you need to suspect that something is going wrong:

- If you have already been discharged home, and the stitched area is bleeding. Sometimes bleeding occurs as a result of wound dehiscence. You won’t be able to fully examine yourself on your own, so hurry back to the doctor.

If internal stitched wounds hurt. Normally, after suturing, vaginal tears may be small painful sensations 1-2 days, but they pass quickly. A feeling of heaviness, fullness, or pain in the perineum may indicate the accumulation of hematoma (blood) in the area of ​​injury. This usually happens in the first three days after giving birth, you will still be in the maternity hospital, tell your doctor about this feeling.

Sometimes suturings fester after discharge from the hospital. In this case, a painful swelling is felt in the wound area, the skin here is hot, and a high temperature may rise.

In all these cases, you should not think on your own what to apply to the wound; you should urgently consult a gynecologist.

What will you learn from the article about postpartum stitches:

  • 1

    Types of postpartum sutures;

  • 2

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

  • 3

    Features of caring for sutures on the perineum;

  • 4

    How to care for a suture after a caesarean section;

  • 5

    Features of the regime for seams on the perineum;

  • 6

    How long should you not sit down with stitches in the crotch;

  • 7

    In what position to feed a child with stitches in the perineum;

  • 8

    Features of the regime for sutures after cesarean section;

  • 9

    How long do stitches bother you after childbirth?

  • 10

    Possible complications postpartum sutures.

First, let's figure out what types of seams there are, since each type of seam may require its own restrictive measures and care features.

So, after childbirth it is possible the following types seams:

  1. suture after caesarean section- a transverse incision is currently being made in the lower abdomen, which corresponds to the lower segment of the uterus, 12-13 cm long and contains 2 sutures: an internal one - the uterus is sutured, and an external one, which we see on the skin.
  2. stitches on the cervix- these are internal sutures that are applied in case of rupture during physiological childbirth. The reason for this may be incomplete dilatation of the cervix, rapid labor.
  3. stitches on the vaginal walls- internal sutures, which are applied in case of vaginal rupture, which also occurs during rapid labor and inflammation of the vagina - in this case, the walls become inelastic and are easily injured.
  4. crotch seams - external. Apply in cases of perineal rupture to varying degrees and with episiotomy (artificial incision of the perineum). The cause of rupture and episiotomy is rapid labor, high position of the perineum, breech presentation fetus and others.
Regardless of location, seams can be divided into internal and external. No care is required for the internal ones; they are performed with absorbable threads and heal on their own.

External seams differ only in the suture material with which they are made, and regardless of the location of the seam and the technique of its implementation, they require proper care.

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

The speed of healing of sutures depends on several factors. Whether the wound is lacerated or cut. From suture material, which may or may not be absorbable (threads that require removal or metal staples). From some concomitant diseases, which impair the healing of any wounds. And also from seam care and personal hygiene.

Seams on lacerations always heal a week longer than cut ones. Postpartum sutures with the application of absorbable materials heal in about 10-15 days, and dissolve in another week. Sutures using threads that require subsequent removal heal after 15-20 days, and dissolve within a week after healing. Sutures for which metal staples are used heal in 3-4 weeks and dissolve within 1 week.

The healing of sutures can be worsened by: concomitant diabetes mellitus, massive blood loss, anemia, flabby muscles and leather, etc.

How to care for a postpartum suture?

Internal seams do not require special care. The internal suture after a cesarean section is covered with skin and does not come into contact with environment.

And if there are stitches on the cervix and vagina, it is necessary to empty them in a timely manner bladder, intestines, observe intimate hygiene and do not lift heavy objects. In most cases, these sutures are applied with absorbable sutures and do not require removal, but heal and scar on their own.

External seams are in contact with the environment, so there is a risk of infection, and such seams require careful care.

The suture after a cesarean section is looked after for the first few days while the woman is in the maternity hospital. medical staff. The suture is treated daily with an antiseptic and a sterile bandage is applied. On average, the sutures are removed after a week, after which treatment is continued until complete healing.

The woman is very worried about the stitches on the perineum. These stitches cannot be stitched aseptic dressing, these seams make themselves felt during any emptying and require very careful care. After each urination and defecation, you must wash yourself with running water at room temperature without soap.

Twice a day, morning and evening, wash the seams with soap, but do not rub them with a washcloth. Then dry the skin in the seam area using blotting movements. It is best to use disposable paper towels for this. But you can get a towel only for the crotch, and change it every day. After water procedures Don’t rush to put on underwear; air baths promote tissue regeneration.

You cannot wear synthetic underwear - only cotton, or good option is a special disposable underwear.

You should not wear shapewear; it interferes with proper blood flow, which is necessary for the healing of the seam.

It is necessary to change the gasket at least once every 2 hours, even if it is not full, microorganisms simply multiply in it.

These sutures do not need to be treated with antiseptics and antibiotic ointments without indications; they are used only when the suture is suppurated. For care, you can use products that help fastest regeneration fabrics, but not containing an antiseptic or antibacterial component: bepanthen, sea ​​buckthorn oil etc. When suppuration occurs, the suture is treated with antiseptics (brilliant green solution, chlorophyllipt, chlorhexidine, etc.) and antibiotic ointments (levomekol, oflocaine, etc.). But if the suture becomes infected and inflamed, it is necessary to be examined by a doctor, since inadequate treatment can lead to complications in the form of inflammation of the internal genital organs.

If a dense, inelastic scar is formed, the doctor may prescribe special absorbable ointments that are applied daily to the scar area for several months.

Features of the regime for postpartum sutures

Our biggest fear is that the seam will come apart. Therefore, with postpartum sutures, it is necessary to take precautions to prevent their divergence. Two components play a leading role here: timely bowel movements And preventing constipation, and limiting physical activity.

Constipation leads to the need to strain when defecating, and this risks the sutures coming apart. Constipation also leads to the proliferation of saprophytic flora, which increases the risk of infection of the suture.

It is necessary to try to regulate the stool as much as possible with the diet, but with the need to adhere to strict diet this is not always possible. To soften the stool, a nursing woman can eat at least a glass of any fermented milk product(yogurt, kefir, fermented baked milk, acidophilus, etc.), fiber from milk thistle fruits, 1 tsp. up to three times a day with meals and drink plenty of fluids. In the first three days you can do an enema or put glycerin suppository with every urge to defecate. If constipation still occurs, then it is necessary to do an enema to empty the intestines.

A woman should not lift weights for two weeks. Also, with stitches on the perineum, the most important restriction is a ban on sitting for at least 2 weeks. And this is perhaps the most difficult moment. This would be easier if a woman after giving birth did not have to care for a newborn baby and a family. And you also need to somehow get home from the maternity hospital. It is recommended to ride in a car lying down, standing or reclining on your healthy side. It is necessary to rise from a lying position to a standing position, bypassing the seat. You need to get up in a position on your side through the healthy side (opposite from the one on which there are stitches), then get on all fours and thus go down to the floor.

You can sit down slightly on the toilet, but place the main support on your healthy side.

You cannot squat or make any sudden movements. All movements should be soft and smooth.
You can start sitting down after two weeks, if there are no concomitant diseases that impair tissue regeneration, and only on a hard surface. And only after a week - to the soft one.

If a woman gave birth through a cesarean section, then for the first 2-3 days, as a rule, analgesics are administered to reduce the intensity of pain in the area of ​​the postpartum suture, and then it is recommended to wear a special bandage or tighten the abdomen with a diaper or, even better, a long elastic bandage.

After any abdominal operations surgeons do not recommend lifting weights more than 2 kg. It would be ideal to follow this recommendation for the postpartum woman. But this can only be done if outside help, if someone close to you takes full care of the baby, and the mother will only bring him for feeding. And so on until the suture heals - on average 2 weeks. If this is not possible, then it is recommended not to lift anything more than the child’s weight (3-4 kg).

In what position should you feed a baby with stitches in the perineum?

It is also necessary to feed the baby while lying down. Very comfortable position, in which the mother lies on her side and places the hand on this side behind the baby’s back or behind her head. And the baby is on the other side, facing his mother, with his tummy pressed against her. In this case, you need to put a comfortable pillow under your head. You may also need a pillow or bolster made of any fabric under your back in the pelvic area or between your knees.

1.5-2 weeks after birth, you can feed the baby in your arms, reclining, but very carefully.

How long do stitches bother you after childbirth?

The stitches may continue to bother you for months after healing. And the intensity of pain decreases on days 5-7 with successful healing. But if the pain lasts longer, or has intensified, if there is suppuration of the suture, bleeding from the suture, or a rise in temperature, then this is a mandatory reason to consult a gynecologist.
After 2-3 weeks, itching and a slight feeling of tightness may occur, which indicates resorption of the suture.

With stitches in the perineum, discomfort, a feeling of tightness and pain during intercourse are possible for several months to six months.

Within two weeks, the pain in the area of ​​the sutures should stop, but sometimes it happens that after this time, the sutures continue to bother the woman, accompanied by pain, discomfort, bloody discharge, unpleasant smell, suppuration, or suture dehiscence. And any of these conditions is a reason to consult a doctor.

Possible complications of postpartum sutures:

  1. Pain. If pain persists after two weeks and is not detected during a medical examination objective reasons pain, then in this case warming up using an infrared, blue or quartz lamp may be prescribed. The session lasts for 5-10 minutes from a distance of 50 cm. Warming up can begin no earlier than two weeks after birth. If procedures are started earlier, this may cause uterine bleeding. Warming can be done independently at home, but only with a doctor’s prescription after an examination.

    Can also be assigned special ointments for resorption of scars.

  2. Seam divergence. If the seam comes apart, then two options for further tactics are possible. It depends on whether the wound has already healed or not and on the degree of suture divergence. In most cases, stitches are not re-stitched and healing occurs secondary intention. This creates a less elastic scar. In some cases, new sutures are placed, but in this case it is necessary to make a new section of the skin, since the sutures do not extend over infected wounds. After this, local use of drugs that promote rapid regeneration is recommended.
  3. Itching. In most cases, about two weeks after the suture is applied, the woman begins to experience itching, sometimes very severe. But, as a rule, this is not a deviation, but, on the contrary, indicates healing of the suture. Itching is accompanied by scar resorption. In this case, it is recommended to wash yourself as often as possible. cool water, but not hot!

    But in some cases, if there is itching not only in the scar area, but also in the area of ​​all external genitalia and in the vagina, this indicates inflammation or dysbiosis of the vagina.

  4. Suppuration. If noted purulent discharge from the suture, which can be from gray to green in color, with an unpleasant odor, then this condition is very dangerous due to the spread of the purulent process and requires mandatory examination by a doctor. In most cases, external treatment with antiseptics and antibiotic ointments, which should be prescribed by a doctor after examination, is sufficient. In more severe cases or with concomitant diabetes mellitus, diseases thyroid gland Systemic administration of antibacterial drugs may be prescribed.
  5. Bleeding. If there is bleeding from the postpartum suture, this indicates its insolvency, that there are areas where the edges of the wound do not close and, exposed during movements, bleed. This occurs when the seam diverges after early sitting. In most cases this is not required special measures, and the seams heal on their own. In some cases it is required re-overlay seam

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 stitch 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 and reduce them undesirable consequences there are no breaks. Proper postpartum care for 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 trauma, vaginal ruptures of varying depths;
  • anesthesia: local anesthesia using 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 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 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 part of his professional duties, so don't hesitate to ask. Typically, caring for sutures after childbirth involves a sedentary lifestyle, compliance with hygiene rules and treatment with various wound-healing and antiseptic agents.

  1. In the maternity hospital, the midwife treats external scars with “green paint” 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. You should not wear shapewear that causes strong pressure on the perineum, which has a bad effect on blood circulation: in this case, the healing of the sutures after childbirth may be delayed.
  5. Wash yourself every two hours, and after each visit to the toilet.
  6. Go to the toilet at such intervals 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 during the day simply wash it with water.
  8. You need to wash the outer scar as thoroughly as possible: direct a stream of water directly at it.
  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 you can’t 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. In this case, you are allowed to sit on the toilet immediately on the first day. After a week, you can squat on the buttock opposite the side where the damage was recorded. It is recommended to sit only on a hard surface. This issue needs to be thought through when the young mother returns home from the maternity hospital. It is better for her to lie down or half sit in the back seat of the car.
  11. There's no need to be afraid severe pain and because of this, skip bowel movements. This creates additional stress on the muscles of the perineum, resulting in increased pain. 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 and do not eat foods that have a constipating effect. Before eating, drink a tablespoon of vegetable oil to normalize your stool and not slow down the healing process.
  13. You cannot lift weights weighing more than 3 kg.

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, you will need medical intervention, treatment, treatment of sutures after childbirth with special preparations. Therefore, a young mother should be extremely attentive and listen sensitively to own feelings, monitor the healing process of postpartum injuries very carefully.

Pain:

  1. if the scars do not heal for a very long time, they hurt, but when medical examination no pathologies or special problems were identified, the doctor may recommend warming up;
  2. they are carried out no earlier than 2 weeks after birth to allow the uterus to contract (read more about);
  3. For this procedure, “blue”, quartz or infrared lamps are used;
  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. Kontraktubeks suture healing ointment can also relieve pain: applied 2 times a day for 2-3 weeks.

The seam has come apart:

  1. if after childbirth the seam comes apart, it is strictly forbidden to do anything at home;
  2. in this case, you need to call a doctor or an ambulance;
  3. if suture dehiscence was actually diagnosed after childbirth, most often they are reapplied;
  4. but if the wound has already healed, this will not require any medical intervention;
  5. in such cases, after examination, the doctor will prescribe how to treat the sutures after childbirth: usually this is wound healing ointments or candles.
  1. 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;
  2. itching is most often a symptom of healing, and therefore 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 hot);
  4. 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:

  1. if a woman notices unpleasant, abnormal discharge (not to be confused with), bad-smelling and suspiciously brownish-green in color, this may mean suppuration, which poses a serious health hazard;
  2. if the suture festers, you should definitely tell your doctor about it;
  3. This is how complications such as inflammation of the sutures after childbirth or their divergence can occur - both cases require medical intervention;
  4. if infection occurs, antibiotics may be prescribed;
  5. For external treatment, 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 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:

  1. 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;
  2. in this case, it is not recommended to treat the problem area yourself with something, but to contact a specialist directly;
  3. alterations may be required;
  4. 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 or be afraid.

How are stitches removed?

Before discharge, the doctor usually warns on what day the sutures will be removed after childbirth: normal course The healing process 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 the woman’s pain threshold, 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.

Stitches after childbirth are a common and very unpleasant occurrence. Every third woman is faced with this problem and, having heard from experienced friends about the danger of seams coming apart, in a panic she searches for information on how to protect herself from such a situation.

There are a few mandatory rules in caring for postpartum scars, but first you need to understand what kind of stitches there are and in what cases they are applied to a woman in labor.

  • Stitches after caesarean section. Everything here is self-explanatory. Stitches are required. The size of the surgical incision is about 12 cm, and it is made in the area lower segment uterus.
  • Sutures on the cervix. Apply when uterine tissue ruptures natural childbirth cervix and premature expulsion, in which the head puts pressure on the cervix, causing it to rupture.
  • Stitches in the vagina. The walls of the vagina are torn in the same cases as the cervix.
  • Stitches on the crotch. Perineal ruptures are the most common, there are several types and occur in different situations: quick birth, And so on. The posterior commissure of the vagina (grade 1 rupture), the skin and muscles of the pelvic floor (grade 2) and the skin, muscles and walls of the rectum (grade 3) can rupture. Perineal ruptures can also be artificial: the perineum is cut with a special instrument along the midline from the posterior commissure of the vagina to the anus.

There are several suture techniques. IN Lately stitches are increasingly used, borrowed from cosmetology. After healing they are completely invisible. However, regardless of the application technique, sutures require the same quality care. The only difference between seams is the material with which they are made. If sutures are applied with non-absorbable threads, they should be removed after 2-5 days. But self-absorbable material does not require such a procedure. The most commonly used are cadgut, vicryl and maxon. These threads completely dissolve without repeated medical intervention, that is, such sutures are not removed.

How to treat stitches after childbirth?

Stitches in the vagina and cervix, as a rule, practically do not bother a woman and do not require special care. You just need to follow the rules of personal hygiene and not lift heavy objects. Such sutures are applied with threads, which dissolve on their own within a few weeks. Scars heal painlessly and quite quickly.

Sutures after cesarean section require special attention. In the first days after surgery, they are cared for by a nurse. Postoperative suture Treated with antiseptic solutions daily and apply a sterile bandage. After a week, the non-absorbable threads are removed, but the treatment procedures continue.

Women often complain that the pain from stitches in the perineum does not go away for a long time, and the stitches heal poorly. This requires some patience, but processing is extremely important. To different women suitable for this different drugs. Obstetricians in maternity hospitals treat stitches on the perineum, usually with brilliant green. At home, it is recommended to try Levomekol ointment, Bepanten, Malavit gel, Solcoseryl, Chlorhexidine, sea buckthorn oil, Chlorophyllipt. It should be taken into account that not all remedies are equally good: many women, for example, note increased pain when using Levomekol, and therefore you need to try, select and endure - time also heals in this case. Meanwhile, don’t forget about hygiene.

First shower with postoperative scar can be taken no earlier than a week after the operation, and the seam itself is washed with special care (it should not be rubbed with a washcloth).

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

In area surgical intervention The woman in labor will be tormented by pain for a long time, which painkillers will help to cope with first, and then special medications will help reduce the pain; the stomach can also be tied up with a diaper. For 2 months, a woman should not lift weights to avoid possible rupture seam

Careful care is necessary, as we have already said, for the external seams of the perineum. Plus, these wounds are the most difficult to care for. Artificial incisions heal faster and easier, because such an incision has smooth edges, which promotes rapid healing and the formation of an aesthetic scar.

Main condition fast healing any wound is maximum protection from all kinds of bacteria and peace. It is most difficult to ensure aseptic conditions in the perineal area. There is no way to put a bandage here, or to get rid of postpartum discharge. It remains to observe personal hygiene with special care:

  • change pads every 2 hours;
  • wear loose cotton underwear;
  • refuse shapewear;
  • after each visit to the toilet, wash with clean water;
  • wash the seams with soap every morning and evening;
  • after washing, dry the perineum with a towel;
  • treat seams with antiseptic agents daily.

Perineal sutures bother a woman for at least several weeks after childbirth, and sometimes for months. Sometimes they are accompanied by pain and particular discomfort. The main difficulty of a “tailored” woman is the prohibition on sitting. The woman in labor will have to do everything half-sitting for at least a week due to the risk of tearing the stitches. After a few days, you can sit on a hard chair with only one buttock, and then the whole one. Constipation should be avoided so as not to put unnecessary pressure on the perineum.

Scars on the perineum cause pain and discomfort during sex for several months after they have completely healed, because the resulting scar narrows the entrance to the vagina. In this case, a comfortable position and special ointments for scars can help.

Complications

The most unpleasant and dangerous complication is the divergence of postpartum sutures. The reasons may be the following: suppuration of the sutures, sudden movements, early sitting down.

Symptoms of possible complications:

  • bleeding of sutures;
  • incessant pain in the area of ​​the sutures;
  • a feeling of heaviness in the perineum (most often indicating the accumulation of blood in the area of ​​injury);
  • painful swelling of wounds;
  • high body temperature.

In all these cases, you need to see a doctor who will examine your stitches and prescribe appropriate treatment. For purulent-inflammatory complications, Vishnevsky ointment or Syntomycin emulsion are usually prescribed, which are used for several days.

You can speed up the healing process of sutures using simple special exercises. To increase blood flow, you should tense and relax your pelvic floor muscles. The most effective exercise is “hold the stream of urine,” during which the vaginal muscles contract. The tension should be held for 6 seconds, then relax. You can repeat the exercises several times a day, alternating tension and relaxation 5-8 times

Especially for- Tanya Kivezhdiy