Bringing a new baby into the world is an incredible journey, but for many mothers, the physical recovery can be much harder than expected. During childbirth, many women require stitches due to a C-section or a perineal tear. When these stitches are done correctly, the body heals over time. However, when a medical professional makes a mistake during the stitching process, it can lead to severe pain and long-term health problems.

If you feel that your recovery isn’t going the way it should, you are not alone. At Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., we believe every mother deserves a safe recovery. Understanding your rights and your health is the first step toward feeling better.

Why Are Proper Stitches so Important For Your Recovery?

Your body goes through an immense amount of stress during delivery. The area around a C-section or a birth tear is full of sensitive nerves and blood vessels. Proper stitching acts as a bridge that allows your body to knit itself back together.

According to data from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), approximately 53% to 79% of women who have a vaginal delivery will experience some type of tearing. Because this happens so often, doctors are expected to be very good at fixing these injuries. When they rush or fail to pay attention, the “bridge” of stitches fails.

Without proper repair, you may face:

• Chronic pelvic pain.
• Incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control).
• Difficulties with intimacy.
• The need for “revision surgery” to fix the original mistake.

What Does It Mean to Be “Stitched Improperly” After Birth?

Stitching after birth, whether from a C-section or a tear, is a common medical task. However, it requires a high level of care and attention. Being stitched improperly means the doctor or midwife failed to repair the tissue correctly.

This can happen in a few different ways:

• Too Tight: Stitches that are too tight can cause extreme pain, skin pulling, and even nerve damage.
• Too Loose: If the stitches are too loose, the wound can open. This prevents the skin from healing and leaves you open to dangerous infections.
• Misaligned Tissue: If the layers of skin and muscle are not lined up perfectly, the area can heal with painful scar tissue or “tabs” of skin that cause discomfort during daily activities.
• The “Husband Stitch”: This is an outdated, non-medical practice in which an extra stitch is added to a tear repair. It often causes lifelong pain and is a clear sign of poor medical care.

How Do You Know If Your Stitches Were Done Incorrectly?

It is normal to feel sore after having a baby, but there is a difference between “healing pain” and “injury pain.” You know your body better than anyone else. If something feels wrong, it likely is.

1. The Pain is Getting Worse

Usually, pain from stitches should peak a few days after birth and then slowly get better. If your pain is increasing after the first week, or if you feel a sharp, “stabbing” sensation that won’t go away, the stitches may be pulling or misplaced.

2. You Notice Foul Odors or Discharge

If the area around your stitches is red, hot, or leaking yellow or green fluid, you likely have an infection. This often happens if the wound wasn’t cleaned properly before stitching or if gaps were left in the repair.

3. Visible Gaps or Dehiscence

“Dehiscence” is the medical word for a wound opening up. If you look at your incision or tear repair and see that the edges are not touching, the stitches have failed.

4. Loss of Control

If you find that you cannot control your bathroom habits (bowel or bladder), it may mean the doctor failed to repair the deep muscle layers correctly during a 3rd or 4th-degree tear.

How do Medical Errors lead to poor stitching?

Doctors and nurses are often working in fast-paced environments, but that is not an excuse for poor care. Most stitching mistakes happen because of simple negligence:

• Rushing the Repair: After the baby is born, the doctor may be in a hurry to move to the next patient and may not take the time to align the tissue layers correctly.
• Lack of Supervision: Sometimes, a student or a less-experienced staff member is allowed to perform the stitches without a senior doctor watching closely.
• Ignoring Patient Complaints: If a mother says she feels extreme pain, and the doctor dismisses her without a physical exam, the window to fix the stitches easily might close.

What Should You Do If You Suspect a Mistake Was Made?

If you think you weren’t stitched correctly, you must take action to protect your health and your future.

• Seek a Second Opinion: If your original doctor tells you everything is “fine”, but you are still in pain, go to a different clinic or a urogynecologist. You need a fresh pair of eyes to look at the repair.
• Document Everything: Take photos of the area if possible. Keep a journal of your pain levels and any symptoms like fever or leaking.
• Request Your Records: You have a right to your medical charts. These records will show who performed the stitches and if any complications were noted during the birth.
• Talk to a Legal Team: Poor stitching isn’t just an “accident”. It can be a breach of the standard of care. A birth injury lawyer can help you determine if you are owed compensation for your extra medical bills and pain.

Get Help If You Were Stitched Improperly After Childbirth

A birth injury doesn’t just hurt your body. It can steal the joy of your first few months with your baby. You shouldn’t have to pay for a doctor’s mistake. Whether you need a second surgery or long-term therapy, the person responsible should be held accountable.

If you believe you were not stitched properly after childbirth, talk to Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. today. We offer a free consultation to discuss your options. We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

Contact us today.