Did anyone have a episiotomy?

Question

I didnt have to have one but i heard they hurt. What did you think of it?

I didnt tear at all either.

Answer 1

I tore but I only had a few stitches, although the care of it is the same I've heard an episiotomy takes longer to heal and is more painful.

Answer 2

I had one baby with an episiotomy and one baby without.

Holy COW! There was such a difference. My recovery with the episiotomy was the WORST! I was tender and sore for weeks afterwards. Sex was freaking scary. I didn't have one with my second and I felt amazing after delivery. I could walk, sit, anything without the pain.

It IS actually better to tear than have the epi. In fact, the professional society of obstetricians just came out and advised that there be NO MORE routine episiotomies--meaning they had better have a darn good reason and even then, it's better to tear naturally.

Answer 3

I had twice. the first son was close to 10 pounds with a perfect round head. I would of torn badly with out the episiotomy. I had a block so I didn't feel a thing.

The second son 9lbs was the best....once you go through the Transitial phase, labor becomes less bothersome. I loved the feeling of giving birth to him. And by time they sew me up I was so numb that I barely felt it. The doc said that a lidocen shot to numb it would hurt more than just having the stitches done.

I wish I had never had the spinal block with my first son because I missed out on the miricle of feeling him being born.

An episiotomy is great if you need it. He heals quickly and it is much worse to tear

Answer 4

They hurt. Honestly, I would rather tear. A doctor cuts the same amount for all epi's. If you tear, you tear the exact amount that you need to accommodate the birth of your baby. I know it sounds more painful, but it's really not. As for healing. People say that it's harder to repair a jagged tear. That's totally false!! It's just as easy to repair! Unless it's an emergency, say no to episiotomys!!

Answer 5

Well, getting one didn't hurt because I had an epi, but caring for it sucked! The difference between not having one(2nd kid) and having one(1st kid) was like night and day! It hurt to pee, I couldn't wipe, I had to use a squirt bottle to wash, it didn't get better for over 2 weeks. I was stitched from one end to the other, so maybe it hurts worse than just a few stitches, but recovering from my second baby was a piece of cake compared to the first! I didn't even get the tiniest tear with my second.

Answer 6

I had a terrible doctor (who was standing in for my regular Dr) who gave me an episiotomy without even asking me. I didnt realize she had done it until after my son was born when she said she was going to stitch me up. I would never voluntarily get one done ever though, and will never have one again.

Answer 7

I didn't have one either, but I'm guessing the doc doesn't make the cut until the epidural (or other pain reliever) has been administered, and it can't hurt any more than tearing.

EDIT - reading the other posts, I stand corrected. Yikes. Apparently they're miserable. Although I had the same symptoms with my tear (ripped front to back, couldn't wipe, had to use squirt bottle to wash, etc).

Answer 8

Yes, some physicians use them too often, BUT there are times when they are necessary. I was one of the "lucky" ones who had an epi but still had fourth degree tears also. That re-opened twice. It required multiple surguries. So they are awful, but trust me, the tears were worse than the cut.

Answer 9

Yes they hurt. I had my first son c- section. My second was vbac and the episiotomy was the worst part.

Answer 10

I had it but never felt the cut when they were making it. only came to know after they started stitching and i felt the needle initially then the doctor gave me another anasthesia injection and stitched the episiotomy.they just said you have to pee and pour water over it it will heal slowly by 3 months it will be good.