For those of you who had an episiotomy first time around...

[AveryJessup]

I had an episiotomy when delivering my DS as a lift-out forceps was used. It healed up fine, no additional tearing, no infection, bad swelling immediately after the birth but by about 12 weeks I felt pretty much back to myself apart from some sensitivity around the scar tissue.

So for those of you who had an episiotomy first time around - what happened for your second birth? Did you need an episiotomy again or did you tear naturally or not tear at all? If you did tear, did it tear along the line of the episiotomy scar or somewhere else? My main worry is that I will get a tear in a new place this time around and it will really make a mess of that whole area as I already have the old scar tissue that still gives me an occasional twinge. Tempted to ask for a C-section because at least then I will have a scar in a different place! (only half-joking...)

[Needalittleadvice]

I had episiotomy and forceps first time, second time straightforward birth with a small tear requiring just a few stitches. I had expected to tear along the episiotomy scar but actually tore on the other side. It healed up perfectly, to the extent that you'd never know. I still get the odd twinge in my episiotomy scar ten years on but actually far less frequently since my second birth now I come to think about it. HTH

[DorothyGherkins]

No episiotomy second time round, the shoulders tore me slightly inside -but i would never had known if they hadnt had told me. Similar size baby, a lot easier second time around, and I could sit down comfortably immediately after the birth, it was well over a month first time around, ouch!

[HaroldLloyd]

BOOM over in a few hours and I was literally running around hours later.

I had an awful birth as well, forceps, the works and a horrible recovery first time.

The difference was staggering.

[CoteDAzur]

I was told during my 2nd pregnancy that there was a 50% chance that I would need another episiotomy, because "scar tissue doesn't stretch as much".

I pushed for a C-Section. Best decision I ever made.

[uggmum]

I had a large episiotomy first time. At least an inch and a half. It healed well. I had a very long labour too.

Second time I had a very short labour, 7 inches dilated to born in 10 mins. I had a slight tear. A few millimetres which healed well with no issues.

I was advised to massage my scar regularly with oil to keep it stretchy before labour.

[Bassface]

I'm interested to know this too. Didn't have forceps but did have episiotomy with DS. DD is due in 11 weeks.

Midwife told me if I do tear, it's likely to be where the episiotomy scar is.

Mine took a while to heal and is still a little more sensitive there around the scar tissue too.

Trying not to think about it but suppose I'd better start!

[HaroldLloyd]

They never told me that, I had a small tear across the scar but it was really just mildly uncomfortable.

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Episiotomy for a ventouse with first. I had a lot of pain afterwards although yes by 12 weeks it was pretty much healed. Always felt a bit too tight and twingey during sex thought. As though I'd been stitched too small?! Maybe it was just scar tissue that wasn't stretchy? Anyway, I was nervous about the second birth because of it.

But it turned out fine. No more painful during the actual delivery. I needed a couple if little stitches for a small tear but that was it. The midwife did them whereas it was the obstetrician the first time. I'm convinced that the midwives are better at stitches - I reckon they get more practice. Anyway, it was a much better healing process. I think the process of birth must have stretched the old scar tissue because sex was ok after my second birth - must have loosened everything up again!

So don't worry, I was fine and I'm sure you will be too.

[MirandaWest]

I had an episiotomy because of forceps with DS, and a second degree internal tear.

With DD I only had a small graze and no stitches :)

[DorothyBastard]

Watching with interest, I have one DC who was born with the aid of ventouse, and was cut three times - an episiotomy and both labia. I'm planning for DC2 and really worry about the state of my poor old fanjo if I am to tear/be cut again.

[imme]

Very similar story here. Forceps, failed ventouse and episiotomy first time around, quite a bad tear which healed fine. Second time was much quicker and easier. MW had to give me a small cut when DD's head was being born to avoid tearing. Just required a few minor stitches. Was able to walk around easily pretty much straight away. I know it's a personal decision but I wouldn't ask for a CS second time around. It seems that second labours are often a lot easier and quicker.

[5madthings]

With ds1 I had a large episiotomy.

With ds2 I had a small tear but it was 'unusual' according to the Dr who stitched it! Anyway it healed fine much better than the episiotomy.

Ds3 just a graze, ds4 not even a graze and then just a graze with dd (no 5).

[lornemalvo]

Only had an episiotomy for the first birth. Tore everywhere the first time too.

Second and third birth just had tearing and the tearing was nowhere near as bad as it had been the first time.

[tabulahrasa]

Not quite the same, but I tore the first time and was fine the second time.

[CurlyhairedAssassin]

Really, everyone worrying needs to remember that their fanny is akin to a wizard's sleeve second time round.

[Dumpylump]

I had forceps delivery and episiotomy with ds1, all healed fine, no problem. I had another episiotomy with ds2 which also healed perfectly. They're kind of one on each side so it looks quite neat and symmetrical!
Like this o
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[Dumpylump]

Not like that...it changed when I posted! Like this!
o
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[AveryJessup]

Thanks everyone! The obstetrician here (am in the US, hence not midwife-led care) did say that I shouldn't worry about a vaginal delivery second time around because it might actually help get the tight scar tissue back to normal and second births are easier.

What I want to avoid is the month of being unable to sit down properly, as you say DorothyGherkins! It really was painful and swollen for a long time and that made breastfeeding difficult because I just couldn't sit down for hours feeding DS as it was too painful and even using a doughnut cushion didn't help, just made the swelling worse actually. Tried lying down to feed but that really really didn't work at all with DS's latch for some reason.

It's encouraging to hear that most of you had much better experiences second time around though. Everyone keeps saying that second time around is easier - if this turns out to be another birth myth, I will sue the universe for lying to me!!

[LostInWales]

DS2 no problem at all with the scar and no tearing at all, DS3 I did tare but he had a giant head but not enough for stitching. DS2 was a doddle though, SO much easier than DS1.

[steppemum]

dc1 - difficult birth, they were about to ventouse, ds had a huge head and I had huge episiotomy, very sore, couldn't sit for weeks and not right for weeks and weeks.

dc2 - easy birth, no cut, no tear. up and about in minutes

dc3 - easy (ish) birth, small tear, no stitches, up and about in days (and she was 10lbs 7oz.

[DinoSnores]

DS - episiotomy as it turned out that he had his hand up beside his face

DD - the tiniest of tiniest grazes despite the fact that she was 4.2kg

[Toohotforfishandchips]

Exactly the same as the first person to post here

[Outflewtheweb]

Epis the first time, forceps, huge post partum hemorrhage and wiped out for weeks afterwards.

This time, no episiotomy, a small tear, no intervention and no blood loss. Left hospital feeling like me as opposed to the zombie I was before.

Induced with the drip both times.

[HolyDrinker]

Episiotomy and ventouse first time. Agony for weeks, felt uncomfy for months.

2nd degree tear (in different place) second time, as DD shot out. Needed a fair few stitches. Barely even noticed it after. Healed so quickly. Stitches were neater too, as done by MW and not a knackered consultant at the end of his shift who couldn't even be bothered giving me anaesthetic. Bastard.