CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

When Are Stitches Removed After Birth?

Eager to get those sitches out? Whether you had a vaginal birth or c-section, here's the deal on postpartum recovery.
save article
profile picture of Laura Riley, MD
Updated May 4, 2017
Hero Image

If you had a vaginal birth and had tearing or an episiotomy, your stitches will dissolve within a few weeks, so no removal is needed.

In the meantime, if they get itchy, use chilled witch-hazel pads or ice packs to soothe the area and do Kegel exercises to help promote blood flow and muscle strength and encourage healing. And you know that feeding pillow shaped like a doughnut you have? Sit on it. Sigh in relief.

If you had a c-section, your stitches or staples will probably be removed within four to five days after your surgery, usually while you’re still recovering in the hospital. For the most part, c-section incisions are horizontal, but if you’re one of those rare mamas with a vertical cut, the stitches will need to stay in for about seven days or so (well, you wanted to be unique!).

You’ll probably be sore in your abdomen for a couple of weeks after the surgery, and your doctor may prescribe pain medication. If it’s not just soreness but actual pain or a burning sensation, or if you have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, be sure to call your doctor. Those may be signs of infection and should be checked out. You also don’t want to take any baths, go up and down the stairs a lot or lift anything heavier than your baby while you’re recovering until your doctor gives you the go-ahead to go back to your usual routine.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

woman with cramping in bed
Postpartum Cramping: What's Normal (and What's Not)
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
Bradley Cooper and Lea De Seine Shayk Cooper attend Netflix's "Maestro" Los Angeles Photo Call at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on December 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
Bradley Cooper Admits He Intially Struggled to Bond With His Daughter
By Wyndi Kappes
New mom holds her newborn on her chest.
The Fourth Trimester: How Baby Adjusts to Life Outside the Womb
Medically Reviewed by Dina DiMaggio Walters, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
sick woman blowing her nose at home
Peak Season for Respiratory Viruses Has Passed, CDC Data Shows
By Wyndi Kappes
Scheana Shay at the "Vanderpump Rules" Season 11 Premiere held at the Hollywood Palladium on January 17, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Vanderpump Rules’ Scheana Shay Opens Up About Postpartum OCD Diagnosis
By Wyndi Kappes
BOTB Best Postpartum Kits-hero
9 Best Mom-Tested Postpartum Kits for Care and Recovery
By Elizabeth Narins
father hugging breastfeeding mom and newborn baby
Mom Makes Postpartum To-Do List for Partners Who Want to Help
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
elyse myers shares her 4 month old son needs heart surgery
Elyse Myers Reveals Her Son Will Undergo Surgery for Hole in His Heart
By Wyndi Kappes
mom and toddler brushing teeth in bathroom
Can Mom "Pass Cavities on" to Baby? Study Reveals Possible Connection
By Wyndi Kappes
mother wearing postpartum underwear and holding baby
9 Best Postpartum Underwear, According to New Moms
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
little girl sleeping in hospital bed with teddy bear
How the Red Cross Emergency Blood Shortage Could Impact Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
woman turning fan on in bedroom
Why You're Dealing With Postpartum Night Sweats
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
mother holding newborn baby while sitting on couch at home
The Baby Pinks: What to Know About Postpartum Euphoria
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
mother and baby looking at smartphone on the couch at home
Why Does My Baby…Google Releases 2023's Trending Searches
By Wyndi Kappes
father bathing newborn baby in kitchen at home
How Often Should You Bathe a Newborn?
Medically Reviewed by Loretta Cody, MD
overhead view of newborn baby and mother in hospital bed after giving birth
How a Sitz Bath Can Help You Heal Postpartum
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
driver smoking a cigarette inside a car
Delaware Is First State to Ban Smoking With Kids in the Car
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
best-postnatal-vitamins-hero
The Best Postnatal Vitamins to Support Recovery and Breastfeeding
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
Jason and Travis Kelce pose for a photo during Game 1 of the NLCS between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday, October 16, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Travis Kelce Highlights the Unseen Work of Moms in Hilarious Fashion
By Wyndi Kappes
heather rae el moussa auto immune disorder
What Heather Rae El Moussa Thought Was Mom Brain Was Something Bigger
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List