The good thing about stitches is that by the time you need them, your baby will have been born and you’ll have done all the hard work! It’s perfectly natural to be a little nervous about requiring stitches after birth, but you can help them heal faster by following the tips we’ve included below. And if you need any extra advice or reassurance about your stitches, don’t be afraid to speak to your midwife or doctor.

The length of time stitches take to heal will depend on the reason you need them. It tends to take between 2 and 4 weeks for stitches between the vagina and back passage (perineum) to heal, but everyone is different and you may find it takes longer. If you’ve had stitches due to a Caesarean, you’ll generally heal in around 6 weeks, but again it is not unusual in certain cases for this to take up to 12 weeks.

Although your body prepares for birth in many ways, it is still very common for new mums to need stitches after labour and there are a number of reasons for needing them.

In order to give birth, your body needs to adapt by doing a fair amount of stretching. For example, the area between your vagina and back passage (known as your perineum) might have over-stretched and torn during labour. This area is particularly vulnerable to possible tearing because it’s the part of your body that is placed under most stress as you push out your little one. Or, your doctors might have had to make a small cut to your perineum (this procedure is called an episiotomy) to help make room for your baby. You will also need stitches if you had a Caesarean.

Tears are very common and tend to happen to 9 out of 10 mums. They are even more common if this is your first vaginal birth - but remember, you’re in safe hands.

There are a number of reasons why this may come up - for example, if your baby is in the breech position (which means their little head is not coming out first) or they require the use of forceps, they might be in distress and need to be delivered quickly. If your delivery needs speeding up due to serious health conditions, usually fetal distress, then an episiotomy can help. Episiotomy stitches will usually heal in the first month or so after the birth of your little one, but be prepared for potential bruising and swelling, both of which are very natural.

Regardless of why you needed stitches, the most important thing is that you understand how to care for them and help them heal.

Each mum and their body reacts differently to labour, and it is hard to determine in advance if you are more likely to tear while giving birth. However, the following factors could make you more prone to tearing:

●      If this is the first baby you have had vaginally

●      If the pushing stage of your labour goes on for longer than expected

●      If your baby is born in the breech position

●      If your baby is born with the help of forceps or ventouse

●      If you've had tearing before

●      If your baby weighs more than 4kg

For minor tears, you will usually be stitched in the room where you gave birth. Your midwife will use a local anaesthetic to numb the area and will carefully stitch up the tear using a ‘running stitch’. Most maternity wards will use dissolvable stitches so there is no need to have them removed.

For more severe tears, you might be taken to an operating theatre, where you will be given a local or general anaesthetic and a doctor will stitch the cut.

If you’re planning on having a home birth, then speak to your midwife about your options. 

Stitches after tearing during labour or an episiotomy can be quite sore at first, but there are some things you can do to help soothe the pain.

Cool temperatures will both ease the pain and help reduce swelling in the area. One way of doing this is to sit in a shallow bath of cold water – just make sure you pat your stitches dry with a clean towel afterwards. You can also use a cold gel pack wrapped in a clean flannel, but don’t leave it on for more than half an hour, and wait an hour between applications.

Painkillers are an obvious but very helpful way to ease discomfort. It’s a good idea to talk to a doctor about the best painkillers for you, as some are not suitable for use when breastfeeding.

It can also be painful when you go for a poo, so try placing a clean pad over the cut and press gently as you pass the stool. And if urinating is painful, try going in the shower or pouring warm running water over the area to ease the stinging.

If you are finding it painful to sit, you could try using a Valley Cushion. These are specially designed inflatable cushions that make sitting down a little more comfortable.

Many new mums who’ve had stitches find sex painful for the first few months. If this is the case, talk to your partner and take as long as you need to heal before having sex again. You shouldn’t feel any pressure in this department.

It really helps to keep the area clean and dry. One way to do this is to give yourself a quick wash with a spray bottle full of water. Simply squirt a few times a day and dry yourself gently. It’s also a good idea to wipe your bottom gently from front to back to reduce the risk of infection.

If you do pelvic floor exercises as often as you can, you will increase blood flow to the area and encourage healing.

Eat plenty of fibre and stay hydrated with lots of water to avoid constipation, so you’re less likely to need to push when you go to the loo. Lastly, change your sanitary pad regularly and make sure it doesn’t rub against your stitches.

Sometimes, regardless of how well you look after them, there can be complications with stitches. If you experience any pain or excessive discomfort, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. Here is a useful checklist of symptoms to look out for:

• Unusual pain or a bad smell in the area
• High temperature
• Severe lower abdominal pain
• A burning or intense stinging pain when weeing
• Having to rush to the toilet with the urge to poo
• Being unable to control your bowels when passing wind
• Bleeding more than you’d expect, or passing clots

The most important thing is that you rest and heal, so try not to expect too much of yourself while you wait for the tear to get better. Remember to put your feet up, but still move around occasionally to ensure you’re getting blood to the area to help with healing.