Failed Episotomy

Updated on October 24, 2010
L.A. asks from Kew Gardens, NY
6 answers

Ladies:

First time momma here. Gave birth on the 13th to a lovely boy. Things seemed a little too sore down below. A visit to my ob/gyn today confirmed that my episiotomy stitches have failed. He's prescribed antibiotics and painkillers and says we will have to schedule a date 7-10 days from now to be re-stitched under anesthesia.

Has anyone been through this? The doctor said that the failed stitches happen 1% of the time. I just had the misfortune of being that 1%. Any recommendations on how to proceed? Any chance that this might heal on its own without stitches?

Thanks,
LSHA

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So What Happened?

I underwent a second stitching last week. It was performed under anesthesia. While there was a good amount of pain and discomfort at first, I feel better at this point, and better than I did as things were healing on their own"improperly". Thanks for your recommendations and support.

More Answers

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J.M.

answers from Boston on

I'm so sorry. This didn't happen to me, but I just want to encourage you to follow doctors orders and get restitched. Even if you heal without it, you want to make sure you heal "right." An intern stitched me up after my first, and sex wasn't comfortable again until I retore and was restitched after my second. Better to get in there and have it done than dread sex, seriously. Best of luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.W.

answers from New York on

Hi
I also had my2nd baby on the 13th! anyway I went to visit my midwife yesterday cause I thougth my stitches had come out. Only a few did and the rest are still there. She told me even if all had come out to restitch after 2 days doesnt work that well. She said the best thing to so is keep your legs shut as much as possible. TO use a peribottle, spray water down there after every bathroom visit and keep clean. Sit like a lady, legs closed and even without stitiches the body will naturally heal itself and come together with secondary skin. I am not sure how many stitches you had but from what I learned yesterday it will heal ots own if you take it easy. Stitiches do come out a week to two after. Good luck

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S.B.

answers from Wichita on

I didnt have the same thing, but I had some icky scar tissue that was really painful. They had to put me under to cut it out and restitch it. When that didnt help completely, they prescribed a testosterone cream that I rubbed on one of my inner thighs every night, and that healed it up pretty quickly. Something about testosterone helping the body to heal more quickly, was what the doctor told me.

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A.K.

answers from Buffalo on

I had this happen recently with my second delivery. I had a large tear and noticed things felt not right about 2 weeks after. Same thing, stitches sisn't work and the tear was still open. I was told to use my peri bottle to keep it clean and it healed on it's own, just took longer. Good Luck

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L.L.

answers from Topeka on

Ouchie did you happen to do something a little too strenous to cause them to fail..I have had stitches with all 3 deliveries never had them fail I hope you get taken care of & they heal to get real comfort & relief.In the meantime time take baths with warm water use what the dr told you to use & it son't hurt to use ice packs they feel so good down below

T.M.

answers from Bakersfield on

omg Lori, that's just awful. I can only imagine your dismay and discomfort! Having to have them look at it and probe it so soon after delivery just makes my spine tingle. I feel so bad for you.
I cant believe they are making you wait a week to fix it. I hate our medical system, it sucks big time.
It would probably heal without stiches but my fear would be that you would
always have tenderness there due to the placement of the scar tissue.
I had a really bad cold with a horrible cough right after I delivered my first son. I was sure my stitches were coming undone. I called my doc and told them this and they told me that it just couldnt happen and not to worry.
I have never been the same down there since, its a lot more sensitive to the touch than it was before I delivered. Not sure if it was because the episiotomy stiches went awry or not, but I think you should have them fix you up unless they want to convince you that you'll be okay without stitches. Just ask your doc what he thinks. The episiotomy is done just so you dont tear and over stretch the skin, its just a little slice. Your stitches are the absorbing kind and will disolve on their own. In a week, if you are feeling okay, maybe you can skip the extra procedure.
I'm rambling, but I just feel bad for you cuz I know how darned sore you are!

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