Question about stitches and colds post-partum

[Bethusila]

I have a feeling these are just "worry-wart" questions, so I haven't wanted to call my OB and ask.  So I thought I'd ask here and see if anyone has any insight or advice.

I am 10 days post-partum.  I tore a little in two places, my OB said she just used a running stitch so I don't know how many I have to judge how bad it was.  Two days after I got home I got a really bad cold, which has now died down to sniffles and a cough.  I have been coughing for a few days now though, and it is extremely painful where my stitches are.  I noticed in the bathroom today that some pieces of stitches came out, and I'm not sure if it's normal dissolving or if I could have possibly busted them coughing.  I am definitely more uncomfortable now than I was when I first got home, I'm taking ibuprofen and using witch hazel pads but it's pretty painful.

So, is 10 days too soon for stitches to be dissolving?  Is it common to be more sensitive as they start to dissolve then I was when I first got them?  Also, what on earth can I take for this cough while breast feeding, it's driving me crazy!

[A_Random_Phrase]

I never noticed when stitches dissolved. I think you should talk to your OB. It could be something s/he ought to know and it is not a dumb question to ask.

[Wittyone]

the stitches definitely could be dissolving by now but if it's hurting worse I'd want to have it seen.  do you have a sitz bath?  warm soaks for your perineum are really soothing and you can do that in a shallow bath or pick up a sitz bath from the drug store.  if you have a place to buy herbs you can make a comfrey tea to put in the bath to soak in - soothing and very, very healing.  raw honey, plain or in a cup of warm water/tea is great for coughs, robitussin or mucinex is also fine with breastfeeding.