Just how strong are the internal stitches

Came down with a wicked cough the last couple of days, the kind that comes from your knees and gives your abs a workout like nothing they've see before.  I can feel my hernia repair whenever I do anything that works my ab muscles, I.e. Getting out of bed.  This horrible cough has left me with very sore abs which makes me ask:  how strong are the sutures holding the ab muscles together?  Is there any way that I could blow those stitches out?  Am thinking that it feels worse than it is, but have to admit I am a little worried that it might be possible.  Any thoughts?