To think that episiotomies are more common than my midwife claims at hospital births?

[Lovinglife2019]

I don't know that many people who've had children recently at a hospital, maybe 6, but ALL of them "had to have" an episiotomy. 1 of them was due to requiring a forceps delivery, but the rest seem to be because the staff told them they would tear really badly otherwise and this was the best thing for them. None of them found the recovery that easy and most of them aren't convinced they actually needed one after talking to other friends who didn't have them and delivered at a midwifery led unit or at home. Don't know how true this is.
When discussing birth preferences, I raised this with the midwife and she said it was just coincidence and actually episiotomies aren't that common.
For medical reasons I will have to deliver at the hospital, and would like to avoid an episiotomy unless medically necessary but am concerned it might be pushed on me.
Am I being unreasonable to doubt the midwife or have lots of people out there had hospital births without episiotomies and it is just coincidence?

I dont know many who had one but I know a few (me included) who had tears! I reccomend continuing gas and air during stitches if they let you

2 babies here and not had one. Not sure I know anyone who has.

Definitely know a few people with tears

I had one and still had a bad tear (ventouse delivery).

Second time didn't have either. I think you just have to trust the advice you are given at the time.

I dont know loads of people who have had them. I did with my first and honestly it healed so much less painfully then my tiny graze with my second

I've had an episiotomy (first) I've torn (second) and nothing 3rd. But if you're concerned the hospital/ maternity unit should publish figures about interventions.

I started birthing at a midwife led birthing centre and had to be transferred, by ambulance, to a hospital for an episiotomy. It was absolutely necessary or my baby may well have died. There was meconium, by labour slowed down. I’ve never questioned it. I trusted the professionals.
My second birth, also at the birthing centre was quick, simple, just a small tear.

I had one with my first, and they were about to give me one with my second, when he pushed his way out abruptly (causing a few tears). My episiotomy didn't hurt, got my baby out quickly, and healed quickly afterwards. I definitely needed it. Stitching it up was easier than my tear, as that was three-cornered. I think the mid-wives tend to do whatever they think is best for the baby and the mother at the time - there's no agenda to give episiotomies.

I had one

My oldest 2 are 22 and 20 and I had episiotomies with both
When I had my 13 year old they said they would rather let it tear naturally unfortunately for me I got a 3rd degree tear as I tore where my old episiotomy scar was and it just continued to run.
Same thing with Dc 4 and 5 but only second degree tears

I had one but don't know anyone else who did.

I’m a student midwife, delivered 42 babies and had to perform an episiotomy only twice.

I told the midwife I didn’t want an episiotomy and she told me she would give me one if she decided to. So you don’t need to concentrate apparently.

Anyway I had a forceps delivery and needed one anyway and it was fine.

The problem is it’s a judgement call on the part of the midwife in most cases.

*consent not concentrate

I’m a midwife whose delivered about 140+ babies and I have performed 3 episiotomies.

The midwife would not lie to you op. They have to tell you the truth about medical stuff.

Out of my close circle of friends (a dozen children), nobody had one. A couple of tears, foreceps and an emergency csection, but no episiotomy.

I imagine it's one of those things where record keeping may be a challenge. It's not something women have to give consent for (one of the few procedures in fact where that is the case!). And it's not something all women may even known happened unless they asked. To be honest, I only know one person who has had one done (it wasn't in the UK), but I've not asked really, because I guess why would you ask people that if they didn't volunteer it? All close friends have had straightforward births, except two who had c-sections. I had two home births, so obviously didn't have one. Certainly, in the past, it was more the 'done thing' whereas I don't think the evidence base shows it's advantageous in most situations now, so not done as routinely. I would guess that the rate would probably be on par with the rate of instrumental births as those tend to be the trickier vaginal births.

First birth, had a spinal and forceps in theatre- feotal distress and heart beat dropped. It was necessary to get him out safely.

2nd birth I had a small one to help her head out, I was exhausted and fed up of pushing- it helped her head come out and she arrived safely.

Recovery for both totally fine, no issues with either.

Forceps the cut was deep, 2nd time around it was only a tiny cut.

I had an episiotomy because I needed forceps. I’m still in pain from it 18 months later. However I don’t doubt it was medically necessary as my baby was in distress.

I think the problem I if you’re told you need one for a safe delivery it’s very hard for you to say no, I think it’s dangerous to second guess advice. But if they’re suggesting one for another reason then I guess you could ask your options.

I know quite a few people who have had them, with varying recoveries. The majority of people who have a hospital birth don’t have them though. Sadly birth is just a lottery and some have an easier time than others through no fault of anyone’s.

Best of luck with everything and enjoy your baby

Out of everyone I know only 1 person had 1 - Me. But to be honest it healed perfectly fine, did not have to use a jug of water when I peed etc and it wasn't painful for me. So do not stress, but no I do not think they are common. My midwife told me the same that I was at risk of tearing, thankfully when I was cut DD flew on out of there so I didn't need forceps etc. I heard that's sore.

I had them for both of my kids I couldn’t push very well and it was going on too long the midwives were convinced I’d manage without one and I had to pretty much beg for the vacuum (Which I never thought I’d do 😂) so no they would never have pushed me into it

I needed one as I had a forceps delivery.

I had an episiotomy due to an instrumental. To be honest, if you’re in the situation where you baby’s heart rate is dropping and you need an instrumental to get them out quick, you’re not going to argue about whether you need one or not.

I’d also say be careful what you wish for. My episiotomy meant that it was a controlled cut and stitched up really well by the Dr. Two of my friends had terrible third degree tears that meant they needed c sections the second time round to avoid doing more damage. I tore 2nd time round along my episiotomy and the midwife thinks that saved me from a worse tear (baby came v quick).

Also recovery wise it was uncomfortable but fine once I got painkillers

Didn't have one but tore quite badly, still not fully recovered 5 months later. Would've preferred one tbh.