titches after vaginal birth are common and, in most cases, heal well. The problem is not the stitches themselves—it’s the lack of clear guidance about how to care for them and when something is wrong.
Stitched tissue is healing tissue. It needs protection, cleanliness, and time.
Why Stitches Are Used
Stitches are placed to close tears or episiotomy cuts that occur during delivery. Their purpose is to align tissue so it can heal correctly and reduce long-term complications.
Most stitches used after birth are dissolvable. They do not need to be removed and will gradually break down as healing progresses.
What Healing Normally Feels Like
In the first days, soreness, tightness, and swelling are expected. Sitting, standing, and walking may feel uncomfortable. Some women feel pulling or mild stinging, especially when moving or using the bathroom.
As healing progresses, itching can occur. This is a normal sign of tissue repair, not infection.
Pain should slowly decrease. Discomfort that improves day by day—even if unevenly—is a good sign.
How to Care for Stitches Properly
Good care reduces pain and lowers the risk of infection.
Gentle cleansing with water is essential. After using the bathroom, rinsing the area instead of wiping protects stitches from friction and tearing. The goal is clean, not scrubbed.
Keeping the area dry matters. Moisture trapped against healing tissue slows repair and encourages bacteria. Patting dry or allowing air circulation helps.
Cold therapy during the early days reduces swelling and numbs pain. This makes movement easier and prevents inflammation from escalating.
Loose, breathable materials reduce pressure and friction. Tight clothing and synthetic fabrics trap heat and moisture.
Rest supports healing more than any product. The body repairs tissue most efficiently when it is not under constant strain.
What to Avoid
Certain common practices interfere with healing.
Avoid scented soaps, sprays, and wipes. These can irritate tissue and disrupt the natural balance of healing skin.
Avoid prolonged sitting on hard surfaces. This increases pressure and swelling around the stitches.
Avoid heavy lifting or long periods of standing early on. Feeling “able” does not mean the tissue is ready.
Avoid checking stitches excessively. Healing tissue is sensitive, and constant manipulation can delay repair.
Warning Signs That Need Medical Attention
Some symptoms are not part of normal healing and should not be ignored.
Seek medical advice if you notice:
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Increasing pain after initial improvement
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Redness spreading around the stitched area
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Pus or foul-smelling discharge
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Fever or chills
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Stitches that appear to open or separate
Early treatment prevents minor issues from becoming serious complications.
Healing Is a Process, Not a Deadline
Most stitches heal significantly within one to two weeks, but deeper tissue continues to repair for longer. Recovery does not follow a strict schedule, and setbacks often happen when rest is underestimated.
Caring for stitches is not about perfection. It is about reducing stress on healing tissue and allowing the body to do what it is designed to do.
Clear guidance replaces fear. Proper care replaces unnecessary suffering.
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