Understanding Post Normal Childbirth Seams and How to Care for Them

Normal postnatal suture is required when the perineum or the part between the anus and vagina is torn or deliberately cut to give birth to the baby. When a baby is born, he needs enough space to get out of your body. When straining, this strong pressure can cause tears in the birth canal. An episiotomy is usually done when the baby needs help during labor such as forceps, or if he needs to be born quickly. Usually, episiotomy can heal within 1-2 weeks after delivery. However, there are times when the tear opens again or it can take up to six months to heal completely. In addition to being torn or cut, the perineum can also experience bruising due to the pressure of the baby's head during labor. This condition can generally subside by itself. However, a swollen bruise, called a hematoma, needs to be treated by removing a blood clot.

Tear Rate

These perineal tears can be grouped into several levels according to their size or depth, namely:

• Level one: tears occur until the skin layers around the vagina. Tears are small and can heal without stitches after a normal delivery.
• Level two: not only the skin, but also the torn perineal muscle. Tears often need stitches, but can also heal on their own without stitches but take longer to recover.
• Level three: torn skin and perineal muscles, including the anal muscles. This tear must be sewn.
• Level four: deeper tears in the anal muscles, even reaching the intestine. This level tear must of course be sewn.

Generally, tearing level three and level four only affects one in 100 women. In addition, tears can also occur in the cervix or around the urinary tract. Tears around the urinary tract are usually small and do not require stitches. Normal postpartum tears and stitches can occur to anyone. However, there are several factors that can cause a woman to be more at risk of developing a level four tear, namely: giving birth to her first child, a baby born with the help of forceps, a baby weighing more than 4 kilograms or the size of a large baby, pushing for too long, a history of level three or four tears in previous labor, as well as the position of a breech baby. Perineal massage a few weeks before birth can help the birth canal to open better, help the effectiveness of muscles when straining, and can reduce the risk of tears or the need for episiotomy.

Handling Post Normal Childbirth Seams

Normal postnatal suture is very common and is experienced by around 90% of mothers. However, the stitches are usually minor, and the patient is anesthetized locally during suturing. There are sutures that need to be opened, but there are also those that don't need to be opened because they are absorbed by the body as the tear heals. To reduce the risk of infection, keep the stitches clean in the following ways:

• Keep your body clean by bathing at least once a day.
• Expose your seam to air for at least 10 minutes, twice per day.
• Change postpartum pads regularly. Wash your hands before and after installing them.
• Avoid wearing tight pants. Wearing a loose skirt or pants can help improve air circulation.
• Eat fiber-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads, and lots of water. As well as being healthy, these ingredients prevent you from constipation, so you don't have to push hard when defecating, which risks disrupting the perineal suture.

Patients who experience third or fourth degree tears will usually be advised to take antibiotics to prevent infection. The following things should be considered to speed up recovery and reduce the discomfort caused by stitches:

• Remember to sit slowly and be careful in the days after stitching.
• Consult your midwife or doctor if the stitches hurt. Doctors can provide painkillers that are safe for nursing mothers.
• You can place an ice bag to soothe the itchy area of ​​the stitches.
• Kegel exercises can be done to strengthen muscles, accelerate healing, and accelerate blood flow.
• Use donut-shaped pillows to help you sit comfortably.
• Make sure your stitches dry after every urination and defecation.
• Soaking in cold water can also reduce swelling.

Immediately consult a doctor if you cannot control urinating or defecating, postnatal seam smelling and painful, lower abdomen or around the perineum feel very sick, high fever which is a sign of infection in the stitches, or even pads very wet with blood.