i've heard that tearing is better, as it heals more strongly due to the interlocking fibers realigning. (episiotomies can be matched up a little off due to the smooth cut & therefore don't heal as strong)
is that right?
2007-10-15 07:20:24 · 17 answers · asked by Ember Halo 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
i've also heard that an episiotomy will actually promote a larger tear (like having a peice of fabric snipped, it can be torn much more easily)
2007-10-15 07:24:47 · update #1
yes, i'm sure it's easier for the doctor to stitch up a straight line, but easier for the doctor does not always mean better for the patient. (unfortunate, but very true i've begun to see)
2007-10-15 07:28:40 · update #2
yes, i'm actually looking into switching from my OB to a midwife after doing more research on things. my OB informs me of NOTHING and gives no alternatives to her "standard procedure"
2007-10-15 07:30:59 · update #3
Yes, that is right. Also, the wound is much more likely to be very severe if they cut you vs. you tearing. There are two reasons for that. One is that you usually tear through fewer layers of tissue than they would automatically cut through, and the other is that making a clean cut makes it more likely that you will tear even further beyond the cut (sometimes even into your anus).
Go here to read more: http://www.babycenter.com/0_all-about-episiotomy_165.bc?Ad=com.bc.common.AdInfo%4036758c0c
2007-10-15 07:27:28 · answer #1 · answered by Mrs.P 6 · 7⤊ 0⤋
With my first child, I had an episiotomy and a third degree tear. It never healed properly until . . .
With my second child I tore a little but did not have an episiotomy. I was delivered by a midwife who was able to stretch me out. It sounds awful and it didn't feel good, but it was a blessing. My old episiotomy scar ripped open and finally healed properly. I had pain-free sex for the first time in years 5 weeks after my second child was born.
Tearing is so much better. I would never let anyone cut me again. *shudder* Have you considered using a midwife instead of an OB?
2007-10-15 14:28:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The Dr. did an episiotomy done during my first labor. The Dr. did not do any perineal massage and I think the episiotomy scarred my husband- he says he can still hear the sound the scissors made. I am not trying to be goulish but that was the only thing that freaked him out. While in labor with my son there was a different Dr. attending from the same practice and she massaged my perineum, which I think made a big difference. While researching birth I came across perineal massage many times but I dismissed it as being a little too uncomfortable for me, but in the middle of pushing out a child it is amazing what you no longer care about...lol. I tore a little bit but only on the scar line from the previous episiotomy. The episiotomy was much harder to recover from, it took longer to heal and I will not consent to one again.
2007-10-15 14:59:30 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I didn't have an episiotomy. I didn't tear very much at all. I can't really compare the two because I've only torn. I will say that recovery wasn't bad at all. I actually hardly cared about it. It didn't really hurt. My cousin, on the other hand, had a episiotomy and was in so much pain for weeks after giving birth. Next delivery, I plan on just tearing again.
2007-10-15 14:41:53 · answer #4 · answered by .vato. 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I started tearing and the doc said I really should let her do the episiotomy. I did. In the end the tear is what hurt more and took longer to heal. This time around I'll let her do it before I start tearing if the need is there.
2007-10-15 14:31:49 · answer #5 · answered by sunflower 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't really know which one heals better, but I tore with one and had an episiotomy with one and the tearing hurt a lot worse. I didn't notice any difference with the healing.
I only had one stitch with both the tear and the episotomy.
2007-10-15 14:24:40 · answer #6 · answered by kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always heard that tearing is harder to heal because its not a straight line and harder to stitch. You can actually try to strech out your vagina (I am not making this up, it was in my what to expect when your expecting book LOL!) starting a few weeks before you are due... yes you do it exactly how you think you would, have your husband or b/f get his fingers in there and push down making a circle (not ALL the way inside, closer to the outside) streching it out as he goes. I heard this helps preventing an episitotomy or tearing. I also heard that tearing is more painful than getting cut. I tore a little AND then they cut me and both friggin hurt so...
2007-10-15 14:28:44 · answer #7 · answered by Mommy to 1+triplets 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i had an episiotomy and it took about 1 week for me to feel better. But when I was stitched up I wasn't stitched up good and now that area is larger than it should be. I think there weren't enough stitches put in.
2007-10-15 14:27:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an episiotomie with my first son and it took forever to heal and it hurt like hell. My second child... due to having a previous epis. I tore at the old site really badly but it healed really fast and didnt hurt that much.
2007-10-15 14:30:51 · answer #9 · answered by Indiana Raven 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i had an episiotomy and i can tell you it hurts like hell! dont do it! im not doing it agian with this one....it tooke me 4 weeks to heal where as my friends who tore, it only took them 2 weeks at the most! tearing is what you body does naturally. getting cut makes you bleed more too! and it took me about 3 months before i could have sex and about a year before if actually felt like i wasnt about to rip back open!
2007-10-15 14:27:33 · answer #10 · answered by Kayla C 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋