healing

[EmilyVorpe]

How long does it take for the perineum to heal? I have 2 first degree tears that each required only one stitch. It's been 5 days.... shouldn't they be healed by now?

[Reha]

The majority of the healing will have already taken place, but I would give it at least a full 2 weeks to be totally healed.

[EmilyVorpe]

Originally Posted by Lennon

The majority of the healing will have already taken place, but I would give it at least a full 2 weeks to be totally healed.

I didn't really hurt at all until yesterday.... the only thing that hurt was the drive home. Now it hurts to even pee! Can you pop a stitch so long after?

[Reha]

Depending on what type of suture material was used, yes you can.

Have you taken a look with a mirror? Are you taking it easy, mama?

[EmilyVorpe]

Originally Posted by Lennon

Depending on what type of suture material was used, yes you can.

Have you taken a look with a mirror? Are you taking it easy, mama?

I'm not sure what type she used... but it hurt when she did it
I took a look in the mirror and all I see is that I'm swollen on one side.... I'm trying to take it easy, buuuuuuuuuut I've got my almost 3 year old to take care of too (I haven't been holding him, but I still have things I have to do for him. I'm not in AGONY, I just don't know if that means I'll heal wrong and have months of pain from that one spot. Ah! I love being a woman....

[MsBlack]

Well, your healing will take longer, with more setbacks, if you don't stay off your butt, and if you do any lifting...like the 3 yr old. Sitting and lifting are pretty hard on tears. Overwork in general in pp time is hard on recovery from birth esp. w/tears.

[Reha]

I agree with MsBlack. I know it is hard to take it easy for the first few weeks, but *so* important. Do you have any friends/family close by to help out??

I think that sometimes suturing gives moms a false sense of security that they don't need to rest as much, etc. But, it is SO important.

[pigpokey]

First degree tears, no you are not going to have months of pain I wouldn't think. They are too superficial. My 1st degree (skin split down a scar line) unstitched in my second birth healed over almost immediately but I split it slightly being more normally active at maybe day 6 or 7? Just kept my legs together for a few more days after that lesson and it stayed closed.

[crsta33]

I have to say that my first degree tear with 5 stitches took forever to heal after the first one. The stitches were seriously bothering me and took a long time (weeks) to dissolve. My midwife even offered to remove them for me (I declined).

I have a tendency to scar and have very sensitive skin and I think that contributed to the irritation. With the second I had a small unstitched tear along the old scar line and that didn't bother me much at all.

Feel better soon.

Christa

[MamaRabbit]

I've found that it heals in the first week but then around day 7 or so it "hurts" more but it's just the new skin itchy thing. If that makes any sense

[EmilyVorpe]

So I couldn't stand the pain I was in anymore... I can barely walk! I've been in bed for 3 days... just getting up to take care of bottles and diapers and to feed my toddler. I called the midwife nurse last night and asked if I should still hurt and she said use frozen peas.... well, I can barely even have a pad against me it hurts so bad!! Peas--not in the picture. This morning, I decided to talk to one of the actual midwives... She had me come down to the hospital (She was on call) and she looked.... I have a BAD infection! She prescribed antibiotics and said I should feel better tomorrow!! Yay!!!

What causes an infection? I did the baths, I used the peribottle... I changed my pad every hour.... So why the infection??