suturing supplies

[snugglebug14]

What do you all carry for suturing?
Needle holder
Tissue forceps
Scissors
What kind/siz sutures do you use?
Lidocaine - does the spray or lotion work sufficiently? (I would kinda assume it doesn't but midwives are alegal here so I don't currently have access to lidocaine for injection)

[Charmie981]

I'd have to look at the size, but I use Vicryl Rapide. I like the feel of vicryl better as I suture...it just seems to hold up better. I like the rapide because it dissolves much more quickly...similar to chromic gut in that by 10 days, there will be no visible stitches anymore. It's more expensive, but I don't suture often enough to worry about the price and I think when I do suture, good sutures are worth any price, KWIM?

I can't speak to the lidocaine because I use injectable. Do you maybe have a doctor friend or sister midwife in a legal state who could share some with you? :

[Midwife Kris]

I have many different suture packs ready to go, not just one type because women have many different tears. If it's a labial tear I don't want to use the same large needle I might use to put together a tear in the pelvic floor, KWIM? If you have Anne Frye's suturing book, it's a good resource for you supply checklist.

[sevenkids]

I carry different sizes for different tears, I prefer chromic gut, myself.

Gel or liqiud lido does NOT numb sufficiently for suturing. I use it prior to injecting lido so it doesn't sting quite so much.

[BeckiCNM]

I use mostly 3-0 Vicryl (or Polysorb - same stuff, different manufacturer - depends what the hospital has) - occasionally 4-0 or chromic. The MD I work with uses mostly chromic. Have a variety of sizes, types of sutures, and needle sizes so that you have options depending on your tear. Anne Frye's suturing book is excellent.

[riomidwife]

i was taught in midwifery school that chromic caused more pp discomfort, but lately i've been hearing that in fact it's vicryl that causes more discomfort. wondering what you all have found?