2007-11-27 08:49:35 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
An episiotomy is when the perineum (the skin at the bottom of your vaginal opening is cut during delivery to allow for the baby to come through. Some physicians prefer this method, others prefer to allow you to tear naturally - talk to your doctor about options.
An epidural is pain relief - administered by needle into your spine, and then hooked up to a drip for the duration of labour. It can go anywhere from a mild numbing from your ribs to your thighs, or be a full out freeze from your ribs to your toes, depending on your preferences and the medical needs.
2007-11-27 08:54:54 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
An episiotomy is when they cut some tissue down there to help deliver the baby's head if it seems to be too big, before you tear down there.
An epidural is a type of pain management you can get once you're about 5 centimeters dilated. If they offer it, don't wait to long because after a certain degree of dilation you will not be able to get it.
What it basically does is numb you from your waist down. The doctor places a small catheter in a space between 2 vertebra's called the epidural space. Most women prefer this since it gives them great pain relief to actually enjoy the birth.
Hope this helped.
2007-11-27 08:57:37 · answer #2 · answered by Cat Scratch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An episiotomy is when they cut you down there to better deliver the baby. Some women aren't big enough for the size of the child. An epidural is a shot in the spine that relaxes you and numbs you. It's medication so that you don't feel as much during the birthing process. I hope that I helped out a little bit.
2007-11-27 08:53:00 · answer #3 · answered by ~Sara~ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Episiotomy is where they cut you at the back (usually) of your vaginal opening. I had one with my son as he was large and they had to use forceps. Usually, being cut isn't necessary and tearing heals faster. An epidural is pain medication they put into your spine. It sounds horrible icky, but it's not all that bad. Especially once they get it going and you don't feel the contractions anymore. Epidural also does not cross to baby as much as some of the other pain medications available (as in stadol) so you don't have a "sleepy baby" when they're born. I had epidurals with both of mine and they came out wailing just like they were supposed to. Some also say it causes you to not be able to feel when to push. In my opinion, an epidural done right and you will still feel the urge, but yes, sometimes it's up so high you never get the urge to push. It's a personal choice on it, but I highly recommend it. :D
2007-11-27 09:00:27 · answer #4 · answered by amyguesswhat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An episiotomy is when the doctor can see that the baby is going to tare you down there so instead of letting the baby rip you to pieces they make a small incision and then stitch it back up when the baby is out. As far as the epidural goes... it's wonderful in my opinion. It numbs you from the waist down. You don't feel anything til the end and then it's just pressure to you know when to push. I thank God for epidurals!!!
2007-11-27 08:55:26 · answer #5 · answered by mamaone12000 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an episiotomy is a small cut they make in your vagina to prevent it from tearing during labor. Sometimes it works and other times it tears anyway. There are degrees of tearing ranging from mild to severe (vagina to anus). All tears hurt and normally need stitches.
Epidurals are given when you are around 4cm dilated and they put a cathedar in a void space in the spine to block all feeling from the waste down. Again sometimes they work and other times they do not. ( Mine only numbed the left side, very weird feeling!) Labor can move so quickly that there is no time for an Epidural so you are S.O.L. Good Luck!
2007-11-27 08:56:29 · answer #6 · answered by kell54329 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an episotomy is where the dr makes a small cut in that little bit of skin between your vagina and your bum because the baby may be too big or you may rip. it's easier to have an episotomy than for you to rip. and an epidural will help you with the pain while you are in labor, but it has been proven that when your baby is born they may have a weaker cry and and be a little "out of it" because of the drug, but it shouldn't do any long term damage.
2007-11-27 08:55:02 · answer #7 · answered by Pretty Little Rave Girl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the first is when they cut you a little down there so you don't rip when you are pushing the baby out. the second numbs you from the waist down is done correctly so you don't feel any pain.
2007-11-27 08:53:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋