Bleeding stiches after giving birth?

Question

I gave birth 6 days ago and I haven't stopped bleeding. The blood seems to be coming from the stiches I received after I tore during delivery. Is this normal? Has it happened to anyone else? Any tips on helping it heal?

I gave birth 6 days ago and I haven't stopped bleeding. The blood seems to be coming from the stiches I received after I tore during delivery. Is this normal? Has it happened to anyone else? Any tips on helping it heal? My baby was 9lbs 10 oz. She was HUGE. Its my first baby so I don't know what to expect really.

Answer 1

You must be a first time mom so first off --- CONGRATULATIONS!!! Honey, I have had 5 vaginal deliveries, and lemme tell ya... each one was different, but each one was normal. I tore on three, had an episiotomy on one and, still on another, religiously did my kaegels, had a wonderful nurse who stayed with me for the entire labor massaging my perineum, and had no cutting or tearing. The blood seems to be coming from the stitches probably for a few reasons. 1) they may absorb some blood, therefore, making it appear to be the culprit. 2) You have just given birth and cannot possibly be able to bend yourself close enough to make a fair assessment and pinpoint the area. Besides you havent seen down there in awhile and it aint gonna look like it used to! lol 3) If another person is looking at you, they dont know your body like you do and chances are, you are lying back at an angle or all the way down to let someone else inspect you, making the blood pool in the back area and then flowing out of the stiched site. Also, keep in mind that you WILL bleed and you WILL bleed more, and differently, than any period you probably ever had, or ever will. I found MUCH comfort in using the 'old time' method of the warm water and a tiny bit of betadine in a squirt bottle, and keeping myself moist as much as possible. There also was one delivery where i filled a foot tub with warm water and sat in it daily because the drying out and itching of my stitches, (combined with the still fresh wound in that unmentionable place) was more than I could bear. I dont think they recommend that anymore because of the risk of bacteria, but it could be worth a shot if you are desperate enough. With that being said, it has only been a week since you gave birth to something that grew inside of you for nine months. You wont be doing any splits or any heavy workouts for a while yet, but it will aid in your healing if you do kaegels often even after delivery. Don't rush it. Enjoy this time with your new member and when you feel tired... REST! Take full advantage of having to take it easy for at least 6 weeks, maybe even milk it for 8 if you can! Once your baby is on the move, these days will seem like an eternity away. The last thing you need to do right now is worry, but if you start to see clots or the bleeding is bright red after a few more days, or if there becomes a foul odor (not the normal, obvious blood smell you have right now) then you should call your OB.

Answer 2

Congrats on the new arrival :)

summgirl5 is right on! I couldn't have put it better myself.

I had an episiotomy on December 24th (12 days ago) and I'm still pretty sore! I started to feel a lot better (I could actually sit down and stand up without feeling like I was going to rip my stitches out and pee without it stinging) about 7-8 days after. Now I can easily get around and take care of my baby without my husbands help. From what I've heard, the stitches are pretty durable, and shouldn't rip. If they are bleeding, more than just a little and it doesn't let up, I suggest calling your doctor.

Good luck! I know exactly what you are going through!

Answer 3

You can actually use Preporation- H pre-soaked pads (put them on the stiches for 5 or 10 minutes) or Dermaplast (sold by the Band-aids and wound care needs at walmart) on the wound it will help make it feel better. You need to be using the water bottle after you used the restroom instead of toilet paper and change your sanitary napkin every hour or two.

Answer 4

Soaking in a salt bath can help the stitches heal, but you will probably be bleeding from the vagina not the stitches. I also had an icepack (it was a condom filled with water and frozen) I used to put it on top of my pad to help with swelling. Good luck with your new bub and congratulations.

Answer 5

Your stitches are probably okay, the bleeding is most likely from your uterus. Use a bottle that will spray upward (given to you in the hospital) to rinse the area. If you are really worried, see the doctor.