when you have the baby do you always have to get stitches? I'm just curious....i know its a stupid to ask this

Question

my friend had a baby and she got stitches (down there). and i was wondering does everybody get stitches down there? explain please

Answer 1

Hi there, it's not stupid to ask. I wondered the same thing when I was pregnant for the first time. When I gave birth to my first son, I did get 4 stitches. Sometimes the doctor will give you an episiotomy, which is a small cut in the skin, near the vagina. This requires stitches, and ripping during delivery also requires stitches. With my second son, I did not need stitches at all. I had minor abrasions, and that was all. I will tell you this, after having stitches, I still ache down there. Just every once in a while, and it's been over 12 years. The stitches do not hurt, they may itch though. Hope this helped. Good luck!

Answer 2

Absolutly not. The only reason one would need stitches is if the baby's head is too big or if you tear severly. Another very rare reason is if an episiotomy is performed (which is to make an incision in the vaginal tissue to widen the birth canal to prevent tearing.) It was thought back then that is would be easier to stich a straight incision rather than stiching a tear. Alot of women stretch enough that they do not tear. Alot of women who do tear but do not require stiches because it's not severe and will heal fine on it's own. I have one child and my experience was (first baby, I'm 5"6 and weight 125lbs) My baby was 10.7 so I tore alot. I need stitches inside and out. It did not hurt at all ( I had an epidural and they give you more numbing meds before they begin the sutures ) The healing process was very easy, to my surprise! I was out at the mall the very next day. Sitting down is a bit uncomfortable, not painful, but uncomfortable. The stitches were the dissolving kind, so dont worry. When that precious baby comes out and they give it to you, you'll be so overcome with love and emotion you won't care what they are doing to you down there. It's amazing how quickly you forget the pain when that angel is handed to you. It;s worth it all. And P.S. DONT listen to other people's "war" stories, you'll be scared enough, and EVERYBODY'S experience is different GOOD LUCK! If I can help again [e-mail] Please don't hesitate!

Answer 3

Not a stupid question.

Sometimes when the baby comes out its too big for the opening and it can either tear the skin or the doctor will make an cut known as an episiotomy. After either you have to be stitched up. Luckily I didnt have to get stitches...I had a 8lb 4oz, 21 inch long baby girl 8 months ago.

Answer 4

No, not everybody. If things go well, you should have to have stitches. But many doctors (mostly male ones) dont' know when NOT to push, and let you tear, or give you an episiotomy (which is where they just say screw it and cut you). Then, you will need stitches. Sometimes, the baby just wants to come out ********, and that will also cause tearing. Being inactive during pregnancy doesn't help. Women should do kegals and perineal massage (the skin between your vaginal opening and your anus) before having children to prevent tearing as well.

When I gave birth, my midwife also rubbed warm oils down there so I wouldn't tear. She helped me at the end, telling me when to and when not to push (when the baby's head is coming out) so I wouldn't tear. And I didn't. Not one stitch. So, these things do work!

So my answer is, no, you don't always have to get stitches.
Good question!

Answer 5

There are two reasons to get stitches "down there." First is for an episiotomy (cutting to make area bigger). The second is for any rips. I had three different places for stitches. If you get an epidural, you should not feel the stitches though. And compared with what happened to you before the stitches, you just don't care.

Answer 6

Not everyone gets stitches but sometimes when the baby comes out there is a lot of pressure, which can cause you to tear especially if the baby is a decent size.

Another reason for stitches is you may have to be cut for the baby to be delivered, this is called an episiotomy.

Little babies can also leave grazes with their nails on the way out through the birth canal. I ripped after an episiotomy, the doctor wouldn't tell me how many stitches but she had two lots of thread.

My birth support asked the doctor whether she was sewing a chinese dragon lol

Answer 7

You are only going to get stitches if the baby is too big to come out. Need to make sure the opening is wide enough to have baby's head slip through. Yeah, the stitches are no fun and it calls for extra recovery but I'd rather have the stitches "down there" than a c-section!!!

Answer 8

Im sure not everyone does but it is a common occurrence due to the skin not having enough elasticity to accomodate having a baby. I personally had lots of stitches due to my son being rather large although I was complimented by the doctor on how well my skin did hold up to a certain point. The head passes fine its those shoulders that get you! It was common to do an episiotomy to prevent tearing but now they find a tear heals better than a cut atleast thats what my OB told me.

Answer 9

To correct tammer19, a tear heals quicker than a cut, (not the other way round) and no they DON'T usually give you stitches after delivery. Unless of course you have a second or third degree tear or an episiotomy after a ventouse or forceps delivery. Most ppl are right on this one (except tammer19) every woman/baby size is different. My last baby weighed 10pound 5 ounces and I didn't need stitches, doesn't mean I'm loose or anything, just more flexible! *lol* Well, that's what I tell hubby and he ain't complaining! Anyways, you don't always need stitching up after having a baby......

Answer 10

No. Not everybody. If you have a doctor who takes the time to stretch your vagina while the head is emerging slowly, you'll have few, if any stitches. If you push too hard and too fast, you'll have lots! I've heard using a midwife instead of a doctor will lessen the likelihood of getting stitches. I had lots of stitches but they were really no big deal. It was moderately uncomfortable for a few days. They give you stuff for the pain.