stitches (for 2nd degree tears)

[ghuaghua]

Tonight I noticed there was some blood coming from my stitches (or so I think) and there was a piece of thread kinda hanging loose...Does this mean my stitches have come undone or are they just falling off...Has anyone had this happen? I don't want to have to get sewn up again!

[minsca]

they are just falling out I would think. Though I'm not sure about the blood. I still have lochia and its been 6 weeks now. But my stitches are definetly falling out. Which means it's healing. They've been falling out for a long time now, but I think they are all gone now.

[ghuaghua]

Originally Posted by minsca

they are just falling out I would think. Though I'm not sure about the blood. I still have lochia and its been 6 weeks now. But my stitches are definetly falling out. Which means it's healing. They've been falling out for a long time now, but I think they are all gone now.

I haven't had lochia in a while, but I sure hope thats all it is!

[stcelia]

The sutures are disolving. It is normal. If it is painful or uncomfortable see your midwife/MD. Sometimes the sutures can wind up pulling on an area of skin or muscle, and they can snip the sutures and resolve the entire issue. It's one of those things that doesn't hurt, and immediately you feel relief.

[wholewheatmama]

I'm not really having much in the way of lochia anymore, but I do still have some bleeding from my stitches. And I can feel the stitches themselves too, since they haven't dissolved all the way yet. I think where my tear and stitches were, I keep pulling it open again slightly with certain movements. I'll be so glad when everything is healed up finally (it will eventually heal, right???).

[wannabe]

You might have a stitch poking you. Last time I had my midwife snip the stitches and it made me more comfortable straight away.

[Right of Passage]

I agree with seeing your midwife or MD to have the loose ones snipped. I had 2 that were HUGE and loose from the decrease in swelling, plus they were the ends and the doctor left a little too much. She snipped those 2 off and I felt like a new woman!