I am about to have a baby at the end of march and i am terrified of the episotomy (getting cut down there) I was wondering how many of you tore and how many of you were cut........or if you had both.
WHich way is better and less painful? Which will heal faster?
THank you for your input!
2007-02-01 05:33:00 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Episiotomies are not done routinely. Your midwife will be watching carefully as the baby's head 'crowns', and she will be able to tell whether your perineum will need an incision or not. The perineum will normally stretch to paper thin, and may only tear a very little bit, and if that's what it looks like doing, they'll be more than happy to allow that. If on the other hand, your perineum looks like it's still quite thick, then any tearing is likely to be severe, and the risk is that you'll tear towards the muscle around your back passage, and possibly damage it. In this case, they will do an episiotomy - you'll have a local anaesthetic, they'll usually do it at the height of a contraction, and trust me, you won't even notice it! You'll be a bit busy at the time! An episiotomy allows a little extra room for baby to come out, and directs the tearing away from your back passage. Because it's a surgical incision, it is easy to suture (no ragged edges), and will usually heal quickly and cleanly.
Don't worry - you'll be fine, whether you have an episiotomy or not. Don't let the thought of it upset you one bit. It's nothing. I had one with my first baby, but didn't realise until after the birth!
I've been racking my brains to remember whether I had episiotomies or not with my other two babies, and I can't for the life of me say whether I did or not! So I hope that helps you to see what a small thing it is!
2007-02-01 05:42:25 · answer #1 · answered by RM 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Congratulations on the upcoming birth of your first child. I am the mother of four, ages 8,6,4, and 2 in March. First off, if you are getting an epidural, you won't feel a thing if it is decided that you need an episotomy. You will already be numb from the waist down!!! You will feel a little pressure of the doctors' hand making the incision, but that is it. It is much better to be cut by a doctor, than to tear on your own. I have been through both situations. My third born just didn't want to wait. She came sooo fast that it took longer the cut to heal because I tore. If you want an unmediated labor, I'm not sure. I would think that it will always be safer for you and the child if there is cut under medical supervision. Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2007-02-01 13:47:00 · answer #2 · answered by Rebecca K 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Congratulations!
I had the episiotomy with the birth of my children and neither time hurt. I did not have any medication either.
With my 1st child (9 lbs) I tore beyond the episiotomy. There were 4th degree tears on the left, to the front and to the rear. This is not ordinary or normal. I was pumped up and wanted to get this child out in 3 pushes. I did, but it wasn't worth the 40 minutes of stitching. If you take your time, like they tell you, you will stretch naturally and have minimal or no tearing. I healed very quickly. I was all better in 3 to 4 weeks and while I was healing, there was mild discomfort.
With 2nd child, I tore slightly. He was smaller and wanted to take a little longer. It took 5 to 6 pushes to get him out. The healing was even faster. Very minimal pain and 7 to 10 days for healing.
What I am trying to say is that it doesn't hurt to have the episiotomy. It really doesn't hurt to tear (depending on how bad the tear is). It is something that shouldn't really scare you. It is something that you can choose to have or not. Either way, God will find a way to get the child out of you when the time is right.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. You are in for more joy than you could have imagined!
2007-02-01 13:43:38 · answer #3 · answered by laesjb 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I'm hoping it will take you long time to heal. Quit whining about it. Child birth is going to hurt so get over it. I never put rude answers on here but you definately rubbed me the wrong way lady! You didnt have to be so RUDE! How dare you! You dont think I didnt look in to everything to be able to stay home? I dont make a lot as it is so getting a job as a cleaning lady would be pointless and doing my child more of an injustice b/c I would make less money. We are still struggling w/ me working! And we HAVE cut down on EVERYTHING! No car note, no cable, no cell . You are just bitchy b/c you know I am way more of a woman than you could ever be. I can handle a job and a baby. You will just be a simple housewife.
2007-02-02 11:19:18 · answer #4 · answered by shanzy02 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This was way the instructor, who was anti-episiotomy, put it in my birthing class: when you cut just the edge of a towel (for example) with scissors, you can then easily tear it in two with your hands. It's extremely difficult to tear it without cutting it first. So the tear will likely be much worse if cut first.
I know you asked for those who have experienced it...fortunately I didn't have to. You may not either, don't forget.
I was scared too. What she said made sense to me so I decided ahead of time that I wasn't going to get one unless I had absolutely no choice.
Also I've heard many many times from people who have had one or just tore naturally that you're so focused on the baby and/or the labor that you barely feel it (if at all).
I know it's easier said than done but try not to be too scared...sending positive thoughts your way...you'll do great!!!
2007-02-01 13:58:48 · answer #5 · answered by Maudie 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I had the episiotomy. It is better because it prevents tearing. I was just as terrified about being cut. My husband freaked out more than I did when they cut the skin. It did not hurt with the epidural. The few days after birth you will hurt anyway. It is not too painful. Your doctor will give you pain relivers. I had vicodin, which does not interfere too mcuh with breast feeding. You will have stiches with an episiotomy and have to take sitz baths for a week or two. You will be fine. Congrats!
2007-02-01 13:44:25 · answer #6 · answered by Jen of Eve 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am a mom of two. First birth I was cut while in labor, because I was in so much pain, I did not feel anything. Second time I did not tear or need to be cut. ( much better) I healed much faster the 2nd time around. (with no cutting) I would prefer not to be cut unless the doc felt it was really needed. Good luck and congratulations!
2007-02-01 13:46:39 · answer #7 · answered by Jm 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, this is the last thing you're going to be worrying about when you're 10cm dilated. You're just gonna want the baby out, anyway they can get it!
I tore during both my deliveries, but did not feel a thing, and I had no pain relief meds. They gave me about ten stitches each time and I healed with no problems.
If they cut you, they will give you a local anesthetic first, so you will not feel it.
Congrats and good luck! Really and truly, you won't even be able to think about it when the times comes. Don't worry yourself...you'll just be anxious to see that baby come out healthy & hold it!
2007-02-01 13:45:32 · answer #8 · answered by purple 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I tore both times and had stitches and healed completely. I think the reason I tore is because they had my push in the Lithotomy position which is more convenient for the ob/gyn but less convenient for the mother and baby. With my next baby I'm planning on using a midwife and alternate birthing position.
2007-02-01 13:38:39 · answer #9 · answered by Miriam Z 5 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I tore while giving birth. With everything else happening and all the pain from just pushing the baby out, I didn't even know that I had torn. I think it was only after I had given birth and I had my baby in my arms, and my doctor was sewing up my tare that I noticed any pain, but that was just from the needle or whatever she was sewing with.
When I went to the bathroom after giving birth, It stung pretty bad!!! I wish the nurse helping me had warned me. But when I sat down and moved around, I couldn't feel any pain from the tare itself, just where it was swollen and sore from giving birth. They gave me a little bottle that I could fill up with warm water and squirt onto my tare, that made it feel so much better after going to the bathroom, so if they don't give you a little squirty water bottle to use, ask for one to take home, It helps alot!!!!
2007-02-01 13:59:43 · answer #10 · answered by Lee-Anne D 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋