Episiotomy second time around

[sallyrosie]

DD born 2 1/2 years ago. Induced by ARM at 10 days over (I insisted on induction as had been having false starts for a week and was utterly utterly FED UP!!)
Long labour but progressed well with no delay and no distress to her.
Epidural for pain relief which was godsend as OP to begin with (although she rotated for delivery) but turned off at beginning of second stage and could feel to push.
Pushed well (according to the MW - wouldn't have a clue myself!) but perineum just wouldn't stretch. DD becoming distressed so senior MW decided to do episiotomy - still took 2 active pushes to deliver her head (big head, then big chin!)
She was a big baby (8lb 12) as I am only small (5ft3) and quite slight.
So didn't really mind about episiotomy as she needed to come out and it didn't seem like it was going to happen without. BUT then the junior MW took ages to stitch me and I was still bleeding from the site. Eventually the reg had to come in and redo it. Was all a bit of a mess by this point.
I lost a lot of blood, and almost inevitably got nasty wound infection. After several unhelpful trips back to hospital my GP took all the stitches out and it healed quickly but then was v painful and couldn't have sex. Consultant cut away some scar tissue under local and was then fine (eventually!)
Now waiting for no.2 to pop. At 38 weeks all I can feel is baby, there doesn't seem to be anywhere in my bump not filled so I'm expecting another big one.
Will I need a second episiotomy? I figure the perineum won't stretch brilliantly with a lot of scar tissue there?
MW totally uninterested in talking about it - I'm a second time mum so my birth plan consisted of her saying 'you know what you're doing don't you' and then writing 'fully aware of options' on my notes so please help MN...

Hi Sallyrose,
don't really have any experience with this, but maybe this link would be helpful to you!
And here the cochrane review

3andnomore - thats really interesting. I think it was done for the right reasons - that head just wasn't going anywhere and her heart rate was causing concern (had scalp electrode on).
Having said that the junior MW really wasn't keen on the idea and her boss was almost talking her into it (I didn't care at this point)
I guess I'll just have to wait and see - just wondered whether some MW have a 'you've had one so you get another' approach?

Hi sallyrosie. I had dd1 in hospital after an epidural and had an episiotomy as they had to use ventouse to help her out. No problems with it healing.

I gave birth to dd2 18mths ago and had a natural birth at home. I laboured in a birthing pool but got out to deliver (my choice).

The midwife said it looked as though I was going to tear quite badly so asked if she could give me an episiotomy which I agreed to. I was a bit disappointed as I had hoped I wouldn't need one second time around - I'd been told my midwives that already having had one shouldn't mean that I would need a second.

So I guess, from my experience it's not a foregone conclusion that you will need one again but you should be prepared that you might.

Good luck.