episiotomy /tearing?

Question

ok, i'm due dec 1 and totally freaked, is it poassible to give birth without tearing or episiotomy? i've heard so many horror stories of not being sewn up right after...!!!!!

Answer 1

Some woman have no trouble with it at all. Ask your gyno to see if he snips or not.

Answer 2

It is absolutely possible. Talk to your doctor or midwife about how they practice. Hopefully they follow the current research that does not support routine episiotomies and would rather allow a natural tear to occur - usually a natural tear would be less extensive than an episiotomy.

Sometime episiotomies are definitely indicated, if there is a large baby and it is obvious to the physician's trained eye that a third degree laceration is inevitable, or if there is a short distance between the vaginal opening and the anal sphincter, etc.

For the most part, many tears and episiotomies can be reduce if you do Kegel (pelvic floor) exercises, if the doctor does perineal massage with oils and lubricants while you are pushing, and if there is support of the tissues while the head is delivered by contraction force alone - no active pushing the head out, in other words, pant through it if possible.

Generally speaking, tears and episiotomies are more common in first deliveries and less common with subsequent.

But all in all, it isn't the end of the world. It is sore for a few days or a week but it can be relieved with medication and ice packs and sitz baths, and you will heal pretty quickly.

Answer 3

Honey you need to relax and STOP listening to the horror stories. For some reason women like to tell all the horrible, usually exaggerated, stories of birth to other pregnant women. I have had three children, all natural. The first was without any meds, last one I got an epidural. The first two I had an episiotomy and I won't lie they are uncomfortable but they are not painful and you are not likely to be sewn up wrong. They numb the area first and you are usually so involved in admiring your new baby you will hardly even notice. My last child I got brave and asked the doctor about different massages you can do that will help the area become more flexible so you are less likely to rip and a good doctor will do these while you are delivering too. Relax, enjoy your pregnancy, ask your doctor lots of questions and don't pay any attention to the horror stories. Good luck and god bless.

Answer 4

I put on both of my birth plans that I did not want an episiotomy unless it was medically necessary, and that I wanted to be consulted beforehand. Unfortunately, my son was a forceps delivery, and episiotomy is necessary to make room for them. It didn't hurt at all, I had an epidural. Stitches didn't hurt while I was getting them (epidural was still there). Afterwards, stitches made walking up or down stairs VERY uncomfortable, sitting was bad too. (used a pillow) I hate needles, but since I couldn't see, and I had my baby to ooh and ahh over, I didn't really even think about the stitches. As for the IV, I chose to have it both to keep me hydrated and because it's a quick way for them to give meds if necessary. I just didn't look when they put it in, and the needle doesn't stay in your arm, just a little tube. Now, all of that being said, when I had my daughter I still had the IV, and the epidural, but no episiotomy. I tore a TEENY bit (1 stitch) and healing up after that was NOTHING. At least compared to the 85+ stitches I had with my son. Just tell the doctor that anything they do, unless it's an emergency situation, you want discussed with you prior to the procedure. Doctors shouldn't have a problem with that at all.

Answer 5

It is possible to prep your perinium (to prevent tearing and possible episiotomies), while you are in labor. I know women that have had their spouses or coaches rub olive oil and do stretching around the perinium with some good results. My one friend has never had tear or episiotomy, but, both of her babies were small (5 to 6 lbs max). I have had an 8 lb, 7 oz girl with an episiotomy, a 9 lb, 9 oz boy with a side tear and an 11 lb, 8 oz girl (yes, that's right) with opening of the old wounds. Every woman is different and you have to have someone willing to do all the "fun" work. Talk to your doctor!

I forgot to add that the tear was much easier to heal and remember sometimes it's just not preventable. My son was delivered by an experienced nurse, but, she wasn't able to do any surgical procedures. Hence, I tore and survived!

Answer 6

I think it's pretty much to be expected to tear especially if this is your first. And you don't want to tear reason being if you don't heal well or properly and the tear is too large then you will have a jagged wound , some women even a flap of skin down their which could affect intercourse, a episiotomy is a surgically done cut that is done by your Dr, so that you don't tear and the baby 's head has room to come out, and it is easy to repair the Dr stitches it back up but it's and even cut so you heal well in a matter of weeks and there is no scaring really. Discuss it with your Dr. and find out which option is best for you ,but it will be fine the more informed you are the easier you can put your fears and ease and enjoy your pregnancy and delivery , it's an INCREDIBLE thing, congrats!!

Answer 7

I suggest you speak to your doctor directly about this. It is possible in most situations to avoid episiotomy or to have minimal tearing. Midwives have a very low rate of tearing and episiotomy because they understand the need to take things slowly and can often offer a particular massage to the perianal area that lessens the risk of tearing or the need for episiotomy.
I had an episiotomy with my first child, I did not know she was giving me one. I had a lot of issues with my first OB simply because I was unwilling to ask questions and I was inexperienced.
I found a new OB and had wonderful births with my two proceeding children, no episiotomies or tearing. I was up walking around cleaning house the next day!
Good Luck and Congratulations!

Answer 8

If your doctor mentions something about giving you an episiotomy then let him give you one. It's a tiny cut that they WILL sew up right after. A tear is much harder to sew, so I could see there being a problem there. I had an episiotomy and I watched it all on the mirror. I watched the doctor numb me, cut me, and help the baby out! I healed up just fine. If you're concerned about it more towards the end of your pregnancy, ask your doctor how they feel about episiotomies and tears... Good Luck!

Answer 9

Well, if you tear, you should get sewn up immediately after the placenta is delivered. I've heard that you can try massaging and kegals to strengthen the walls, but if your labor progresses quite fast, there's nothing you can do about the natural process of tearing or if the doctor sees fit - the episiotomy.

Answer 10

i discussed this with my doctor. She used hot oil to stretch the perineum before I delivered. I had an episiotomy the first time.

However with the doctor doing the hot oil thing, I had no problem, no ripping or tearing at all. Some doctors will not take the time to do this. Talk to your doc now and see what his ideas are. Make your wishes known.

Stay upright as long as you can. This also helps your body stretch to accommodate the baby.

Good Luck

Answer 11

Not all woman tear or has to be cut. And it´s not all that horrible, you won´t even feel it when you tear or if they cut you..
You can also massage your perineum to prevent tearing or being cut...

What is perineal massage?

Perineal massage is the gentle stretching and massaging of the perineum (skin between the anus and vagina) during the last few weeks of pregnancy. This has been shown to reduce the incidence of episiotomy and perineal tears during childbirth.
Why does perineal massage work?

Perineal massage does not "lengthen" the tissues of the perineum. However, it does increase the stretch in two ways.

First, perineal massage is done with a cold pressed oil, which lubricates the tissue making it softer, more supple and improving is flexibility. This makes it easier for the tissues to stretch as the baby is born.

Second, perineal massage familiarizes the mother with the stretching sensations she will feel as the baby is born. This helps her learn to keep her perineal area relaxed during the stretching of crowning which can help prevent tears.
How do I do it?

Perineal massage can be done by the mother or her partner. The mother should be in a comfortable place, sitting or reclining in a way that gives access to the skin around the vagina. It can be done for up to 10 minutes a day during the last four weeks of pregnancy.

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Wash hands thoroughly. Ensure there are no sharp or long nails that may scratch the mother.
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Locate the perineum, directly below the vagina. It is the skin between the vagina and the anus. Apply some cold pressed and pure oil (such as olive oil) to this skin.
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Place the thumbs at the base of the vagina, allowing them the slide inside the vagina (to about the first joint) moving some oil with them.
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Using gentle but firm pressure, move the thumbs from the base of the vagina up the side walls as if you were making a "U".
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Return the thumbs to the base of the vagina, and repeat procedure.

As the mother becomes more comfortable with the stretch, you may increase the amount you stretch the skin.
Some sample perineal massage techniques:

The mother may perform perineal massage as part of her daily bathing routine, before her bath or shower.

The mother and partner may enjoy the stimulation of perineal massage before intercourse.

The mother may perform perineal massage as part of a nightly relaxation routine before going to bed.