Can I refuse an episiotomy after having tear last time?

[CrazyPlateLady]

I had a forceps and third degree tear birth with DS. They gave me an episiotomy due to the forceps but obviously, I still tore.

I am pregnant with DD now and I have decided I don't want a c section (I have the choice this time) but they told me if I go for a natural birth, they will do an episiotomy. The registrar who I saw said that there isn't any evidence to say that having an episiotomy reduces the chances of tearing (after telling me they would do one anyway). I have also read this on the net as well.

Can I refuse for them to do it unless it becomes apparent that is is completely necessary? There is nothing to say it reduces chances of tearing so why should it be done automatically? Doesn't make sense to me at all.

Why would they do an episiotomy if you have a natural birth?

Of course you can refuse one. It's your body...your choice.
Speak to your doctor again and ask for their reasons for doing one.
is there a particular reason for you not wanting one?

Thay said it is to reduce the chances of tearing again.

Even though I had an episiotomy last time and still tore and the registrar told me that there isn't any evidence to say that having an episitomy actually reduces the chances of tearing, they still said they would automatically do one. I have read quite a few things on the net and they all say there is no evidence to support this, yet hospitals still do it.

Yes you can refuse. And not all hospitals still do this.

If you're not happy to have one just let them know. Isn't it better to tear than to be cut anyway?

Ahh, my hospital does. They are also rated as one of the worst in the country and have just shut 1 of the 2 maternity wards they have (permanantly). I can't wait to give birth there . It was busy enough the last time with 2 wards. Now they are getting women out within 2 days of having c sections as there just isn't room for them.

Not the way I tore.

Ah, now we get women out of the hospital 2 days after a lscs. There is a lot of research that supports this to do with getting women up and mobile. To be honest 99.9% of people are chasing all round the wards demanding to know if their discharge paperwork is completed as they're desperate to go. Anyone who didn't want to go for any reason or didn't feel well enough to or pain wasn't controlled would not be made to leave.

Hopefully if they've shut one of the wards then they will also have reduced the number of women they accept as referrals per year. More women will have to book at other hospitals?

This is the only hospital in our city! There isn't anywhere else for us to go. No birthing centres or anything. People who have been up to visit people have been saying what total chaos it is.