Stitches

[b_light]

If you tear, how do you do stitches?

I'm not currently pregnant, nor do I plan to be soon (just had a baby). But, my mind can't seem to let go of what could happen next time. I think I need to think it through a bit to move forward.

My last came out very fast. I may not have any other choices besides unassisted childbirth. Sadly, assisted homebirth is illegal where I live. I know of an "underground" midwife, but she still lives an hour away. My last labor was barely over an hour. I'm sure my husband wouldn't want to pay full price for a homebirth out of pocket with the knowledge that we'd probably be doing it alone. And even if we chose a hospital birth (which scares the crap out of me), by the time we called someone to watch our kids, had them show up, and then left for the hospital...it's just too much time. We'd end up with another car baby.

Somehow I think it'd put my mind at ease to know a bit more about how people handle these scenarios. How are stitches done during an unassisted birth? I tore both times because my babies were sort of projected out.

I know it's weird to be thinking of this now, it's just always on my mind and I want to just feel confident that there is an answer to these questions so that I can let it go. (another fear is birthing in some random place in public)

[UCmamaToMany]

You shouldn't "need" stitches, unless it is a severe tear which are not as common as some may lead you to believe.

I have torn with my UC babies but I let them heal naturally.

[b_light]

Originally Posted by UCmamaToMany

You shouldn't "need" stitches, unless it is a severe tear which are not as common as some may lead you to believe.

I have torn with my UC babies but I let them heal naturally.

Hmmm...how would I know if it's a tear that needs stitches? My first was born on The Farm, and my midwife (obviously) thought I needed stitches. What are the complications if I don't get stitches but needed them?

[Amatullah0]

you could see a hospital HCP, and just not go to the hospital when you are in labor. If you do have bad tearing, you can just go to get stitches done, right? or, maybe you can make a deal with the MW that you will pay her a small percentage of her fee if you can call her just in case you need her for something like stitches. or, of course, you can always go to the ER if you are UPing as well as UCing, but you might be treated poorly, or CPS might be called if they know you planned it like that/didn't get prenatal care from someone.

[claddaghmom]

I had bad tearing, more the UG MW could do. I stopped by the hospital and they did a good job. We stayed out of the L&D ward.

[b_light]

Originally Posted by Amatullah0

you could see a hospital HCP, and just not go to the hospital when you are in labor. If you do have bad tearing, you can just go to get stitches done, right? or, maybe you can make a deal with the MW that you will pay her a small percentage of her fee if you can call her just in case you need her for something like stitches. or, of course, you can always go to the ER if you are UPing as well as UCing, but you might be treated poorly, or CPS might be called if they know you planned it like that/didn't get prenatal care from someone.

Very good thoughts, thank you!

I went to the hospital after my 2nd was born unplanned unassisted, they treated us well. Though, there was a noticeable shift in the room when they found out we weren't "unassigned" because we planned it that way, we just had an out of state provider. If we find ourselves choosing an unassisted pregnancy, I would probably lie that we had a midwife in another state, since I know they didn't communicate with ours this time.

[b_light]

Originally Posted by claddaghmom

I had bad tearing, more the UG MW could do. I stopped by the hospital and they did a good job. We stayed out of the L&D ward.

Would you care to share more about this? Where in the hospital did you go? Did you bring the baby? How was the baby treated?

With my last birth, we went for what I thought would be stitches but had to stay for 48 hours to monitor the baby who was born in "unsterile conditions" .

Oh! Is there a way UCers can do PKU tests?

[UCmamaToMany]

Originally Posted by b_light

Hmmm...how would I know if it's a tear that needs stitches? My first was born on The Farm, and my midwife (obviously) thought I needed stitches. What are the complications if I don't get stitches but needed them?

I know there was a thread recently about this very thing. http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1182498

For me personally, my first 'UC' my friend called her MW friend to come and stitch me up, saying I needed it. But I seriously don't think I did. When I had my VBAC prior to my UC even the doctor said I just tore a little bit and barely needed any stitches, but being a doctor he put those 1-2 stitches in, which in my humble opinion probably wasn't needed. I think it was the same with my 1st UC, they just see a "tear" and believe it needs to be stitched, but I am sure it's not the case with all MW.

With the rest of my 5 UC's I probably tore about the same as with my first vaginal birth and I just let them heal naturally.

"Complications" would only arise if it was a deep 3rd degree tear that wasn't aligning properly, and in some rare occasions I suppose you could get an infection in the same instances.

Most (not all) tears are smaller than an inch. Have your partner/DH/SO check out the tear, or use a mirror to check it out yourself.

You could even just resort to gluing your tear together too.

[NettleTea]

Originally Posted by b_light

s

With my last birth, we went for what I thought would be stitches but had to stay for 48 hours to monitor the baby who was born in "unsterile conditions" .

!!!

[b_light]

Originally Posted by NettleTea

!!!

Yeah...sorta makes me want to leave the baby at home. But we can't really do that with breastfeeding.

[jljeppson]

You can definitely do newborn testing at home, though it isn't cheap since it includes lab fees and everything. birthwithlove sells the kit with lancet, papers, etc and just has the lab tests done through her acct. You fill out the info, do the test, and then send it in the self-addressed, stamped envelope to the lab. Results get sent straight back to you. Some states you can work the system and actually get the kit from the state and send it into the state lab. Fees and availability of services depend upon the particular state.

[Sheryl1678]

You can use superglue like the other poster said but you need to use it right away while the tear is still fresh. If you wait even a day or so, it will be too late.

I also read somewhere about some sort of a seaweed mixture that women apply to the tear and then STAY IN BED with their knees together for a few days (iirc). Apparently it has amazing results. Maybe you can google it.

[mauinokaoi]

I went to the hospital to get stitches and was not allowed to bring the baby. H1N1 I think.

We got all our newborn screening done at the ped a week later.

I do NOT recommend the jaundice test.