Signs of suture healing after birth
Some medical sources stated that the postpartum suture healing process usually occurs within a period of two to five to six weeks.
This indicates that wounds heal gradually and improve over time.
During the first week after birth, some signs of suture healing may appear.
For example, a woman can feel the edges of the wound tightening and the formation of a scar.
These marks are a normal part of the remodeling process that occurs in wounds.
In addition, a woman may feel better if the sutured area is swollen.
Pain during urination can be minimal or completely non-existent.
These signs indicate that the suture is healing well and that the wound is gradually improving.
Generally, absorbable sutures are used for postpartum sutures.
These threads dissolve on their own within a few days and disappear after a week or two, and do not need to be removed by a doctor.
In the event that the fetus descends in the breech and a procedure called an episiotomy is applied, there is no need for any intervention from the medical staff to remove the stitches, as they fall out automatically.
However, if a woman notices that the pain has become more intense and worse, or she begins to feel an abnormal burning in the vaginal area when touched with water or urine, it is necessary to contact her doctor.
There may be a problem that needs additional medical evaluation and care.
In general, women are advised to get plenty of rest and take care of their wounds after giving birth.
Keeping the area clean and monitoring the development of signs of suture healing can help promote the healing process and limit any potential complications.
How do I know that the natural birth wound is infected?
- Purulent secretions emerge from the wound site.
- Severe lower abdominal pain.
- Swelling at the suture site.
- Severe pain at the suture site.
- Pain in the perineum.
- Discoloration of tissue in and around the wound margins.
- Secretion of pus or pus, or noticing abnormal fluid coming out of the wound.
- High temperature.
- Redness and swelling of the wound, fluid or pus and secretions coming out of it, and swelling of the skin around it.
- Severe pain in the perineum.
- Redness and swelling of the skin around the wound, in addition to a foul odor emanating from it.
If a woman notices any of these symptoms, she should immediately consult a doctor to evaluate the situation and consider appropriate treatment.
Treatment may include properly cleaning the wound and using antibiotics to eliminate possible bacterial infection.
Some cases may also require replacement of inflamed stitches.
How does a birth wound heal quickly?
After natural childbirth, the speed of healing of the wound in the vagina varies from one woman to another and depends on several factors, including the mother’s health condition, how the birth process went, and others.
It usually takes four to six weeks for the wound to heal.
If the mother undergoes a caesarean section, the wound will need longer to heal and may also take four to six weeks.
There are some guidelines that can be followed to speed up the healing process of your birth wound quickly.
Among these guidelines, it is recommended to use cinnamon, which is known for its wound healing properties and analgesic effect.
Cinnamon is an herb or spice that is readily available in the kitchen.
Cinnamon helps reduce pain, redness and swelling in the vagina caused by natural childbirth.
In addition, it is preferable to place ice cubes wrapped in a piece of cloth on the wound.
This helps relieve pain and reduce swelling.
It is recommended to change the cloth regularly to avoid contamination of the wound.
The mother is also advised to rest completely and avoid excessive effort.
The area must be kept clean and dried well, and sanitary pads should be changed regularly.
Ice can be used to relieve inflammation and speed up the wound healing process.
Does internal sutures for childbirth cause odor?
When a suture infection occurs after birth, the area can swell and become inflamed and cause severe pain.
A person may also notice a foul odor and some pus may come out of the wound.
There are also discharges that may have a foul odor and may be tinged with blood or appear in different colors.
This unpleasant odor is a sign of inflammation in the suture area after childbirth.
This may be caused by a previous urinary tract infection or inflammation of the vagina due to frequent internal examinations.
Such infections are usually accompanied by lower abdominal pain, high temperature, and foul-smelling discharge.
It is worth noting that the diagnosis is based on the woman's common symptoms and the results of the clinical examination.
It is recommended to consult a specialist doctor to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, such as Betadine, to reduce infection and reduce unpleasant odor.
To avoid infection at the suture site after birth, it is recommended to follow medical instructions regarding personal hygiene and proper wound care.
Is it normal for blood to bleed from the birth place?
After the baby is born, a little blood may come out of the suture site, which is normal in the first days after birth.
This occurs as a result of a tear in the vagina and the sutures that were performed to repair it.
Sometimes, the bleeding may last for only a few days and be in small quantity and decrease in intensity over time.
If the bleeding continues for a longer period or its quantity increases, it is recommended to go to the doctor to confirm the placement of the suture and to verify that there is no health problem associated with it.
Excessive bleeding may indicate inflammation or infection in the sutured area, in which case it should be treated by a doctor.
It is worth noting that after a cesarean section, some blood may also leak from the wound site, but it should be in a small amount and decrease over time.
If bleeding continues or increases, you should consult a doctor to evaluate the condition.
Does sitting affect the delivery time?
Excessive sitting after childbirth can affect the stitching of the lower area of the uterus, and may cause pain and difficulty in healing, and pose a problem with the wound’s ability to heal properly.
Dr. Al-Samhouri explained that it is preferable for a woman during the postpartum period to lie on her back from time to time, and to be careful not to sit in an upright position for long periods, as this condition can cause pain in the suture area and delay its proper healing.
In addition, doctors advise postponing married life for at least 6 to 8 weeks after giving birth, to allow enough time for the vaginal suture to heal.
Regarding the use of bitter salt lotion during the postpartum period, Dr. Al-Samhouri indicated that there is no known direct harm to its use.
However, you must consult your physician to obtain correct advice before using any products or washes during this sensitive period.
Finally, women should be careful while sitting during the postpartum period, and prefer to sit on soft cushions to reduce pressure on the suture area and facilitate the healing process.
When does the vaginal opening return to normal after childbirth?
The vaginal opening after childbirth needs a period of time ranging from 12 weeks to a year to regain its normal condition before childbirth.
However, not all cases return to normal size immediately.
The vagina begins to return to its normal size after childbirth without the need for suturing, and it may take about 6 months to return completely.
However, it may not regain its normal shape if a woman has had multiple births.
These changes gradually disappear after a period of time after birth.
Usually, it takes between 6 to 12 weeks for the vaginal opening to recover after giving birth, and recovery may take a full year.
The vaginal opening or cesarean section wound only includes minor tears in the skin around the vaginal opening, and the birth process does not affect the menstrual cycle.
The NHS has confirmed that vaginal dilatation and relaxation are common changes after childbirth.
The vagina usually returns to its normal shape and depth after a short period of time.
The uterus also shrinks after birth and returns to its normal size.
A woman may feel pain in the area surrounding the vaginal opening after giving birth, and her body needs a natural period to recover.
To return the vaginal opening to its normal size, the necessary procedures for the recovery period must be adhered to and carefully monitored.
Recovery time depends on several different factors such as the number of previous births and the condition of the pelvic muscles.
In general, the body restores the vaginal opening to its normal size about 6 months after giving birth after the pelvic muscles regain their normal size.
However, if the birth was accompanied by a vaginal injury, a twin pregnancy, or an advanced age, vaginal recovery may take longer.
When does the uterus return to its normal size after natural birth?
The uterus needs a period of about 6 weeks to regain its normal size after birth.
Only two weeks after giving birth, the uterus returns to almost its normal size.
It usually takes about 4 more weeks for it to fully regain its normal size.
However, it is worth noting that this time may vary from person to person and depends on several factors.
For example, the vagina takes about 6 months to return to its normal size after childbirth.
After the placenta is delivered, the uterus begins to contract and reduce to the size of a grapefruit.
The uterus then continues to contract over the coming weeks until it returns to its normal pre-pregnancy position.
Signs that the uterus has returned to its normal size usually include changes in the size of the abdomen and the color of vaginal discharge.
The abdomen may become smaller, and the secretions change from bright red to yellow and then white.
The uterus returns to its normal size and condition before birth in a process called uterine contraction, in which the weight and volume of the uterus decrease by 16 times due to autolysis of tissue.
Cramps may occur during this period, as the uterus shrinks to its normal size within about two weeks.
Despite performing exercises, it may take several months for the abdomen to return to its normal size.
It may also take longer to regain normal body weight.
How do I clean a natural birth wound?
- Use warm water baths: It is preferable to sit in a bath of warm water with salt or an antiseptic solution added to it once or twice a day to help keep the natural birth wound clean.
After that, it is recommended to gently dry the wound. - Applying cold water compresses: Cold water compresses can be applied to the wound area to relieve pain and swelling.
- Cleaning the vagina using warm water: It is preferable to use only warm water to clean the area to avoid any irritation or threat to the healing process.
- Avoid using public toilets: To keep your vaginal birth wound clean, you should avoid using public toilets that may be unclean and carry bacterial risks.
- Using ice to speed up the wound healing process: Placing ice packs similar to a sanitary towel on the stitches in the wound can help reduce inflammation and speed up the wound healing process.
- Keep the wound clean and dry: It is recommended not to use water baths or wound care products such as Vaseline and moisturizing lotion.
You can apply cold compresses or use a cooling pad with witch hazel extract between the sanitary pad and the area between the vaginal opening and the anus. - Ensure cleanliness after urination and defecation: The area must be cleaned gently using only water from front to back.
You must also make sure to dry the area well to reduce pain and facilitate the healing process, and it is recommended to change sanitary pads regularly. - Avoid sitting for long periods: During the recovery period, it is recommended to avoid sitting for long periods to relieve pressure on the affected area.
What causes swelling of the birth seam?
Giving birth is one of the most impactful events on a woman's body.
A natural birth or caesarean section may be accompanied by swelling at the suture site after the operation.
In this report, we will shed light on the causes of swelling at the site of the birth suture and wound stitches, and also when you should see a doctor.
In the case of a natural birth, the suture site may be exposed to stress during the birth process, and this leads to its swelling.
You may also notice some pain when touching the stitched area or adjacent areas.
Bloating may be related to increased blood flow in this area.
For women undergoing a cesarean section, swelling and redness of the suture site is normal and does not require concern during the first few days after the procedure.
During a cesarean section, the suture site is exposed to stress, and then suturing is done.
This process may be accompanied by discomfort and pain for some time.
When any of the following symptoms related to stitches and wounds appear, you should see a doctor:
- Redness and swelling at the suture site.
- The presence of fluid at the wound site.
- bad smell.
- Moderate to severe pain.
It should be noted that these symptoms may indicate inflammation of the vaginal implants and require medical attention.
It is always recommended to contact a doctor to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
