Most women who have a vaginal birth have stitches to aid in healing the episiotomy cut or pelvic floor tear. These stitches will fall out when the incision heals weeks after delivery. The stitches might be unpleasant, and you must keep them clean to avoid infection. You can consult a gynecologist at Amri hospital Kolkata for precaution for postpartum care after vaginal delivery. On the other hand, this blog will help you understand the importance and precautions you must take of vaginal stitches after vaginal delivery.
What does Necessitate vaginal stitches after giving birth?
During vaginal birth, the area between a woman’s vagina and anus (perineum) extends significantly.
- It often stretches to the point of tearing. When the pelvic floor begins to stretch, most obstetricians in India prefer to perform a surgical incision. This procedure is referred to as an episiotomy.
- After the cut is done, an episiotomy may tear deeper down the line.
- In that situation, the doctor uses Stitches if the woman has a deep tear or an episiotomy to help the tissue and skin recover.
- Small tears involve only the skin layers (not muscle) may not require stitches. These are referred to as first-degree tears.
If a woman is fortunate enough not to have had an episiotomy and simply have a first-degree rip, the doctor may avoid requiring stitches at all.
What causes a vaginal tear during Normal delivery?
A vaginal tear can occur during delivery for a variety of causes. A tear can be caused by several circumstances, including:
- If it is your first-time delivery.
- The infant’s position (face-up deliveries).
- During delivery, use forceps or a vacuum.
- A big infant (more than 8 pounds).
- If you’ve had a hysterectomy.
What after-care stitches minimize the risk of pain and infection?
If you can properly care for the wound, post-delivery stitches shouldn’t be an issue. If you have stitches from an episiotomy, make sure to see your doctor regularly and follow their recommendations exactly.
Here are some suggestions to help you heal faster and avoid illnesses.
- Follow hygiene procedures – After giving birth, it’s critical to keep clean and take good care of your stitches. Good cleanliness will aid in the prevention of infection in the area. It’s also important to wash your hands before and after using the washroom. Bacteria on your hands are easily capable of causing postpartum problems. Your doctor may also give you a squeeze bottle of antibiotics to assist you in keeping the pelvic floor area clean.
- Take your time to rest – proper Rest is critical for your recovery. Resting is an excellent technique to recover from childbirth and heal your injuries. As you heal, avoid hard work. Seek additional as much assistance as you require from family and postnatal caregivers.
- Make use of ice packs – By reducing inflammation, using ice on your stitches can help your wound heal faster. You may use ice packs that look like pads and that you can wear. To relieve discomfort from stitches after giving birth, you can wear these ice packs for at least 10 to 20 minutes a day. Also, make sure you use these ice packs only once, as using them twice may cause infection in the incision area.
- Expose the stitches to fresh air – Allowing the stitches to be exposed to fresh air might assist in the healing process. It may be beneficial to lie on your bed without underpants for 10-15 minutes once or twice a day.
- Try stool softeners – Your doctor may recommend you a stool softener. This medicine can help you pass your bowels more easily and minimize struggling. Stool softeners, in addition, reducing straining, can help alleviate pain from the stitched area during postpartum recovery.
- Abstain from sex – Having sex after giving birth may be extremely uncomfortable. It can also make the recovery process more difficult. It is better to wait until your incision has healed completely and your bandages or stitches have been removed.
When should I see a doctor about my stitches?
Before you leave the hospital, your doctor will schedule an appointment with you to check on your stitches and how the wound is healing. This check-up is normally scheduled 6-weeks after your delivery, following your maternity period.
If you’re worried before then, you can call your doctor and discuss your symptoms. There are various danger signs to check for that suggest a concern. If you have any of the following symptoms, contact or consult a gynecologist immediately:
- Your stitches get more painful with time, rather than less so.
- Your stitches stink, or you have stinky discharge.
- You have to rush to the toilet to poop and struggle to control when it comes out (such as leaking poo when you pass gas).
- Peeing is painful, and you must go frequently.
- You are experiencing severe discomfort in your lower abdomen or around the area.
- You’ve got a fever.
- Your sanitary pad has huge blood clots, or you are bleeding heavily.
Finding the best medical assistance for needs- Finding the top Gynecologist in Kolkata might be difficult these days. Credihealth is an online healthcare platform that assists you in finding verified information about them online and verifies frequently browsed information such as their expertise, qualifications, reviews about their offered treatments, and operations they can execute. You can also browse more information regarding diagnostic tests, online medication facilities, home care services, booking an appointment online, and much more. Call 8010-994-994 or email support@credihealth.com to get a callback.
Conclusion – When it comes to your baby’s delivery, there are numerous factors to consider, and most of them are beyond your control. There are, however, methods to prepare for the experience advance, such as lowering the risk of serious tearing and episiotomy during delivery. Perineal massage will not protect your perineum on its own, but it can be part of your birth plan, particularly if you want perineal care from your healthcare provider during delivery. You can check the doctor list at Amri Hospital Kolkata on Credihealth and make an appointment with the doctor of your choice.
