On average about 35 to 45% of Australian women will receive stitches to their genital area after giving birth vaginally. This will vary depending on where the woman has her baby, the birthing position she is in, the speed of the birth, if forceps are used, whether this is her first, second or subsequent baby or if her caregiver has given her an episiotomy. These factors and others are discussed in detail in
episiotomy and tearing.
To stitch or not to stitch?
If an abrasion or graze, tear, cut or injury is sustained to the woman's genitals (usually her perineum), the following factors can determine if stitches will eventually be required.
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How extensive the injury is, |
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The preferences of your caregiver to repair the tear or episiotomy or to leave it, and |
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The woman's own preferences. |
As a guide, the following can give you some idea of what can be expected:
Injuries needing stitches
Injuries that may not need stitches
Making the choice
Injuries needing stitches
The most likely injuries that will definitely require stitches include a 2nd degree perineal or deep vaginal wall tear, an Episiotomy, or if a 3rd or 4th degree tear was sustained or the cervix was torn.
2nd degree tear
Vaginal wall tears
Episiotomy
3rd and 4th degree tears
Cervical tears
2nd degree tear. A 2nd degree tear is a tear of the woman's perineum (the tissue that lies between the woman's lower vagina and her anus) and involves injury to the vaginal skin, the layer of underlying tissue and the pelvic floor muscles. The extent of a 2nd degree tear is equivalent to the injury caused by an average-sized episiotomy and will usually require stitches to help the muscles be rejoined, aimed at maintaining the effective functioning of the pelvic floor.
Vaginal wall tears.