It’s perfectly natural to be a little nervous about requiring stitches after birth, try not to worry. Everyone’s different and not all women need them. If you need any extra advice or reassurance about stitches, don’t be afraid to speak to your midwife or GP.

For minor tears, you'll 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's no need to have them removed.

For more severe tears, you might be taken to an operating theatre, where you'll 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.  

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.

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.

If you’ve had stitches due to a Caesarean, you’ll generally heal in around 6 weeks, but again it’s not unusual in certain cases for this to take up to 12 weeks.

The best way to care for your stitches is to keep them clean and dry. Try to wash your perineum using warm water every time you visit the loo and gently pat the area dry using toilet tissue. You should also aim to change your sanitary pad regularly to keep the area dry and comfortable.

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 will help 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.

Last reviewed: 31st August 2020
Reviewed by Nutricia’s Medical and Scientific Affairs Team