Is it true that during labor, the doctor cuts your vagina to ease delivery? My boyfriend keeps telling me that and now I am seriously having a ceserean section.
2007-01-23 08:03:35 · 20 answers · asked by quizicalgal 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
It's called an episiotomy. And while the practice of doing so is less standard than it used to be, they will do it if they feel it would be better for you, as in if there's a high risk of you tearing. If you tear, it's harder to stitch up and harder to heal. It's also a minor procedure, especially compared to a c-section, which is major surgery and at least doubles your recovery time from delivery. Elective c-sections are also hard to come by.
2007-01-23 08:17:17 · answer #1 · answered by desiderio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all women get cut down there during delivery (it's called an episiotomy). Every woman is different and some can have their baby without being cut. I unfortunately had to be cut, only because the baby couldn't fit through. :( The healing process I thought was worse than labor. I couldn't walk, sit, or lay down without it hurting! It took about 2 weeks before it felt better and could get up out of a chair without help (definitely hard to take care of a baby when you are in pain!)
Also, you most likely won't be able to choose if you want a C-section or not...they usually only do a C-section if they have to.
Good luck!
2007-01-23 16:19:48 · answer #2 · answered by Huliganjetta 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doctor would only cut your pesium (spelling) if you need more stretch in your vagina to deliver. It's very common and done all the time. If you are having a c section there is no need for it. You can ask your doctor for suggestions on how to not have to do this but it involves a massage to stretch the vaginal muscles and some doctor don't know how or wont allow because you have to place a finger inside the vagina to do so. Maybe look into a midwife to be in the delivery room. Check out your options, it's your delivery.
2007-01-23 16:13:35 · answer #3 · answered by gymfreak 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it's needed, the doctor may cut your perineum (this cut is called an episiotomy) to prevent tearing. You can talk about this with your doctor ahead of time - most obstetricians will only do an episiotomy to prevent tearing (because it's easier to repair a surgical cut than a natural tear). But don't worry if you need one - or if you tear some - because with stitches it'll heal up and be back to normal in no time.
A c-section is a major abdominal surgery that requires a spinal or an epidural, and the recovery time is a LOT longer after having a c-section. And you'll have that scar.
Plenty of women give birth without needing an episiotomy and without tearing their perineum. You can do regular perineum massages to loosen it up so it stretches easily. Just remember to only push when you're told to - most tearing is caused by women who push when their body is not ready for them to.
2007-01-23 16:15:38 · answer #4 · answered by eurekablyth 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they do cut. I got cut but I did not feel it because they gave me a shot of Novocaine down there first. The shot didn't feel that great, but, I lived through it. I have a friend who refused to be cut and she tore all the way to her anus. Took her over 2 years to heal and she still says (5 years later) that she doesn't feel the same. I got cut and felt great about a week after giving birth. You will learn all about this stuff if you take a birthing class. Also try the book "What to Expect When you Are Expecting"
2007-01-23 16:22:29 · answer #5 · answered by mystery_me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is try in some cases, if the head of the baby is in danger of tearing you. It is called an apesiotomy , it doesn't hurt, and it usually only takes a few stitches to close it back up again. A ceserean section hurts worse than this procedure. I know I misspelled the word above so please don't hound me about it.
2007-01-23 16:21:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Episiotomy and with everything else goin' on you won't even feel it. Additionally if you are built so that the baby isn't too big upon birth you may not even require one. It's not going to ruin your sex life afterwards (the baby will stop that for awhile anyway). Don't worry about it. A C-section are you nuts? The recovery time and pain is worse from that than a tiny little incision.
2007-01-23 16:12:53 · answer #7 · answered by Mickey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they will cut you if there is not enough stretch for baby to come out. Some people just tear and others have no problems. You don't even feel it anyways, and the healing process is much faster then a c-section.
2007-01-23 16:11:47 · answer #8 · answered by Proud Mother 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you rather have a 1 inch incision that heals rather quickly on it's own, or a 10 inch incision across your stomach that requires staples and requires longer recovery time. An episiotomy is the last thing you should be freaking out about. Relax and enjoy your pregnancy.
2007-01-23 16:16:15 · answer #9 · answered by confused student 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be a good idea to ask your doctor what he/she usually does in that situation. Most of the doctors I know try to avoid it. Nevertheless, they don't cut you until you are getting ready to deliver and I really don't think you'll notice it at that point.
Also, most doctors do not allow you to have a choice c-section (unless you are Britney Spears, I guess). C-Sections are not that bad (coming from experience), but I wouldn't WANT one, if given a choice.
2007-01-23 16:14:03 · answer #10 · answered by Mindy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋