Do I need to remove the stitches after episiotomy?

Pregnant women may need episiotomy during normal delivery. If an episiotomy is performed, the wound needs to be stitched. After the stitches, the mother should pay attention to rest, avoid strenuous exercise, and eat some foods that are conducive to wound recovery during the confinement period. The stitches will be removed after the mother returns home to recuperate and recover. Many mothers are worried that it will hurt to remove the stitches after an episiotomy. Do the stitches need to be removed for an episiotomy? Let’s take a look at it next.

1. Do I need to remove the stitches after episiotomy?

Whether the episiotomy during normal delivery needs to have its stitches removed depends on whether absorbable or non-absorbable sutures were used at the time. During normal delivery, in order to protect the perineum, a perineal episiotomy is sometimes required to allow the fetus to pass through the perineum smoothly for normal delivery. After the baby is delivered after episiotomy, the wound should be sutured in time to stop bleeding and reduce inflammation. If the intradermal suture is done with absorbable sutures, there is no need to remove the sutures. If the sutures are non-absorbable, they need to be removed. The mother should communicate with the doctor who performed the sutures to see if the stitches need to be removed. Or before giving birth, you can tell your attending physician that you choose absorbable sutures, so that you don't need to remove the sutures after the episiotomy.

2.What is natural childbirth?

Natural birth is a method of childbirth. It refers to the process from the beginning of uterine contractions to full dilation of the cervix, as the contractions become increasingly stronger, the natural descent of the fetal head and the birth of the fetus. The pregnant woman gave birth naturally without the aid of forceps or vacuum extraction. Clinically, it takes about 10 hours for a pregnant woman to give birth naturally, and there are individual differences among some pregnant women.

3. How long does it take to remove the stitches?

Generally, absorbable sutures are used for episiotomy during delivery and do not need to be removed. If non-absorbable sutures are used, it will take a week or 10 days to remove the sutures. The wound caused by episiotomy during normal delivery must be well cared for after the operation to keep it clean and dry. The hospital will have complete cleaning measures within 3 days after the operation, and the vulva should be rinsed with disinfectant lotion. After discharge from the hospital, the mother needs to clean the vulva with clean water or lotion every day at home. Flush after going to the toilet. The mother should rinse the perineum with water after urinating or defecating, and wipe it with toilet paper, wiping from front to back to avoid bacterial infection.