when you give birth does your baby fit through your vagina or does the doctor have to cut it?

Answer 1

it depends

Answer 2

I see there are lots of misconceptions about episiotomy here!

Most babies fit just fine without being cut. Many women can deliver with no cut and no tear!

That cut, an episiotomy, is probably the most performed and most unnecessary surgery done in the US. Contrary to what some people here have said, studies have proved that episiotomies do NOT prevent tearing, and they do NOT heal better or faster than a tear. And having experienced both I can attest to the fact that an episiotomy is much more painful than a tear. Many women experience long-term pain in the area where they are cut.

There is almost never a true need for an episiotomy. Since 1983 I have cut two episiotomies and one of them I think would have been ok without. An episiotomy only speeds the birth of the baby by maybe 5 minutes. It is very rare that 5 minutes will make a huge difference.

You can read tons of information on episiotomy here:
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/childbirth/165.html

Claudine Crews CPM, LM

Answer 3

they dont cut the vagina exactly, they might do an epistimony (spelling) which is a cut in the perrinenal (spelling again) which is the skin between the vagina and anus. and if they dont cut it, theres a chance that the girl will tear some, but it heals (with or without stitches) the vagina canal itself expands a great amount so the baby can fit though. its just the opening (on the outside) that might tear or need to be cut to fit better

Answer 4

It depends on the woman. Some women have no trouble whatsoever.. some do have a tear in the pernium (the skin below the vagina, directly above the anus) In some extreem cases, a woman can even tear through to their anus. Often times, the doctor will make a small incision to avoid a tear, however.. when the incision is made, it almost always cuts through muscle, whereas a tear may not, and would actually heal better. I had a small tear in my pernium with my son, and one in my vagina, and although I required 3 stitches, it was not that bad.. and you barely notice.

Answer 5

I know of women that have actually stretched enough for their baby to come out without tearing or being cut. Alot of other women on the other hand do tear, as I did, or get snipped a small amount. It all depends on how the doctor sees the situation. They do as they need.

Answer 6

It depends on the size of the baby, but to prevent tears which take longer to heal the doctor does an episiotomy-an incision from the back of the vagina toward the anus. The stitched incision heals faster than any tears would. That is one of the reasons for no sexual activity for 6 weeks after delivery.

Answer 7

Depending on how much space there is for the babies head, the doctor might have to cut, but the mother wont feel it. Don't worry right after the placenta is delivered the doctor will stitch it back up, and it would be as good as new.

Answer 8

They do both. If it is your first vaginal delivery then the doctor may make a small cut so that you and baby get on through without problems. But believe me, after everything that happens before it and the tolerance you build up, you won't even feel it. Recovery from it would be better then that if you would of torn.

Answer 9

Every case is different, some doctors do have to make a small cut to get the baby out. From what I hear having them cut is better than tearing. I don't know though I never tore and they didn't cut me.

Answer 10

If your baby does not fit (if your vaginal area does not stretch enough) your doctor may cut you so that you do not tear. I myself did not need to be cut and only needed one stitch. So it is better that my doctor did not cut me. Some doctor now believe it is better to allow women to tear because it heals better and not always necessary.

Answer 11

Sometimes a doctor will have to make a cut in order for the baby to come out.