Pain relief for episiotomy? Chances of needing one again? Second time labour fears

[addictedtoharibo]

Hi everyone,

I am 16 weeks pregnant with my second baby and starting to think about the birth. Last time I had to have an episiotomy as although DS was averaged sized and coming down quite well and quickly he had got very distressed so they gave me an episiotomy so he could be born quickly.

There wasnt any time for a local anaesthetic and I hadnt really stretched enough and on just gas and air was very aware of the pain. I still very much remember the feeling and sound of her doing it and was quite traumatised by the whole thing at the time.

This time round I am not worried about the actual labour or pushing the baby out but am getting worked up about needing another episiotomy. Obviously if it was another emergency they can do what they want to get the baby out but if its not what are the chances of me needing another one? And in non emergency situations are you usually given anaesthetic?

This time round I am hoping for a home water birth labouring in my own position - not strapped to a bed flat on my back which cant have helped things. I will also try perenial massage again - did last time but couldnt really put it to the test!

Any experiences?

Thanks
xxx

[clayre]

i had an episiotomy first time in similar situation to you and i can still remember the feeling of the cold metal cutting thru me, that was 5 years ago and i was petrified it would happen the 2nd time but it didnt, ds shot out like a bullet with only a minor tear, eveyone i know that was cut the first time didnt need cut the 2nd time.

[addictedtoharibo]

Clarye - I love you, lol.

The perfect answer!

[addictedtoharibo]

or Clayre, sorry typo when im trying to say thank you!

[Sexonlegs]

I can totally relate addicted. I had an episiotomy with dd1 and a big blood loss. I remember being in pain for months after.

Had my second dd last April - didn't get out of the front door- she just slipped out in the lounge with a small tear and no stitches.

Best of luck.

[spina]

I had an episiotomy first time.(lovely memory of paed flexing scissors framed by my stir-up straped legs!) second time, i expected i'd have another to avoid a horrible tear along my scar.

I didn't!!! YEAH!!!!!didn't even tear. bit of local ..trauma is too strong a word. I had just had a human forceped out of me however.

re massage. i did first time and didn't second time so no link for me anyway!!

by reason for the episiotomy was for ventouse as my two were too slow coming out rather than too fast btw.

good luck with eveything.

[PuppyDogTails]

I had an epi in similar circumstance - DS was coming too quickly, got distressed and they needed to get him out. I was only on gas & air but they gave me a local anaesthetic - I still remember the sound it made but I didn't feel anything.

[bb99]

I had ep first time around as baby was distressed and needed ventouse. Remember the snap snap of the scissors well ...

Second time around I massaged olive oil into perenium from about 20 weeks - as often as possible (sounds strange I know - maybe there's a willing volunteer ) MW extolled virtue of making those bits it was rubbed into extra stretchy .

WOULD have got away with no tears, got head out fine but DC decided to be born with hand on side of face, so scoobied me with elbow (ouch...) and got a big tear. No episiotomy though

But, had dc not got hand stuck on side of face all would have been fine...

Just as you needed one first time around doesn't mean you'll need one again. Have fun with your water birth!