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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Were you aware of your episiotomy?

48 replies

bumperlicious · 29/05/2007 14:40

I am just writing my birth plan and wondering weather I should advise the MWs that I only want an episiotomy if absolutely necessary and if it comes to that just to do it and not tell me?

It's the only part of labour that I am really worrying about - along with having stitches, and I think the anticipation may make it worse. I wondered if any of you had episotomies and weren't aware at the time.

The dr asked a similar question of me when I went for my last anti D and I just couldn't decide whether personally I am better if taken by surprise, or knowing and being in control, so would appreciate anyone else's opinions.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

tigerschick · 29/05/2007 14:43

I had a local for mine, which they told me about before they did it. They also explained why they thought it was a good idea - dd was born the contraction after they did it, so I was very glad they did!!

Loshad · 29/05/2007 14:44

I can't imagine how you wouldn't be aware of it, unless you'd had an epidural. mine (only had one the first time) was absolute agony. i can still "hear" the crunching sound as midwife cut through the gristle never mind the pain. Never again, nowt wrong with a tear

FrannyandZooey · 29/05/2007 14:47

LOL Loshad I am sure THAT has reassured her

I think it is best to take things as they come and not plan in too much detail in advance, tbh

I think in general the more informed and aware you can be at the time, the better, so I wouldn't personally ask for any procedure to be done without my consent

burstingbug · 29/05/2007 14:47

I was given an episiotomy with DS1, he was born with ventouse.
With DS2 they were going to give me one, but he was too egar to come out so I ended up having 2nd degree tearing (clitoral stitches too!).

lulumama · 29/05/2007 14:50

on the whole, they are done when the perineum is stretched really thin, at the height of a contraction, when the area is numb anyway..

or you will have a local

a tear is often better, so play it by ear

DumbledoresGirl · 29/05/2007 14:51

Good grief Loshad. I hope that was some sort of attempt at humour!

I had an episiotomy when I had my first child. They told me they were going to do it and gave me a local anaesthetic and I did not feel a thing (sadly, that did not remain the case after the birth, but at least then i had the compensation of my gorgeous baby!)

I agree with F&Z about not planning anything too much. I would not have been happy at the thought of an episiotomy when I was pregnant, but when you are in the situation of needing one (my baby was stuck and had to be delivered by forceps) you honestly don't give a damn about anything but getting the baby out quickly and safely.

MaPickle · 29/05/2007 14:52

OMG Bursting bug, I don't think I can uncross my legs for the next 3 hours.

Spagblog · 29/05/2007 14:54

I was informed both times that I was going to have an episotomy...No more pain than the slight prick of the needle for local anesthetic. No noise of cutting gristle PMSL!

I thank my episotomies for the fact that I have good pelvic floor control and no slackness in the old foof.

Mumpbump · 29/05/2007 14:54

I felt a burning sensation, but I guess that probably happens if you tear anyway. Being stitched up was by far worse since you're more with it by then. As someone else says, when they recommend it and you just want your baby out safely, you really don't care that much, ime.

burstingbug · 29/05/2007 14:55

Sorry tmi then! Felt it 'go' too!!!
Couldn't cross my legs for weeks eeeek

Lio · 29/05/2007 14:55

Just so you know, I had no idea it had happened (first birth) and no idea I had torn (second time). Neither was better/worse than the other. It was the thing I was most scared of and I really didn't need to be.

expatinscotland · 29/05/2007 14:56

I had an epidural, so no, I didn't feel it.

ProjectIcarus · 29/05/2007 14:57

erm i had similar to Loshad actually and I was pretty traumatised about it.

Perhaps you could ask them to clatter objects if they had to do it.

princessmel · 29/05/2007 14:57

Oh my , I feel a bit faint after reading that Loshad.

I had one with my first birth. I was told it was going to happen just before it did but I didn't care as I'd had a spinal ( I was all prepped for a c section just in case I couln't push him out) and didn't feel it.

With dd I tore but had had an epidural so didn't feel the tear or stitches either.

princessmel · 29/05/2007 14:58

Lol at 'slackness in the old foof'!!

Lizzylou · 29/05/2007 15:00

With DS1 had a spinal and then ventouse (was going to be emergency C/S, hence spinal) so was gloriously unaware of anything, DS2 had another ventouse, just with aid of G&A and didn't feel it at all, or even know it was happening and am pleased about that.

Please don't worry about it, it was one the possibilities that kept me awake at nights in late pg with both boys and the reality was absolutely fine.

bristols · 29/05/2007 15:00

I had an epidural so, no, I didn't feel it. The MW did tell me she was going to do it. For the record, there was no noise from it at all. I had local anaesthetic for the stitches too.

Burstingbug - ouch!

I think you can see from this thread so far that experiences like Loshad's are few and far between.

Original poster

bumperlicious · 29/05/2007 15:00

Feeling a bit sick and panicked at the gristle comment, but appreciate the rest of the replies that were a little more reassuring.

I know you can't plan these things too much, but this whole pregnancy/labour thing is really difficult for a control freak like me! I know things won't always go to plan, but it makes me feel better just having one IYKWIM.

OP posts:

lulumama · 29/05/2007 15:28

princessmel , no not yet !!!

Spagblog · 29/05/2007 15:31

Oh try not to let your DH view the carnage after the birth.

DH stood at the foot of the bed and stared at my poor nether regions and remarked
"Bloody Hell! It looks like roadkill"

He couldn't see how it all went back together again, but you can't even see the scar these days.

princessmel · 29/05/2007 15:32

Really ? wow! it seems like you've been on call forever.

I'm still thinking/wondering about the whole doula thing. Only thing stopping me is the money for the course really. And the worry that I'm not very earth mothery. I'm too straight talikng I think. But then lots of people have said thats what they would want when they were in labour.

Aimsmum · 29/05/2007 15:40

Message withdrawn

lulumama · 29/05/2007 15:42

i'm not an earth mother ! truly, am not! i think the ability to adapt to each clients needs and give them the individual support they need is really important...

also, i did the NB coure, and i was able to pay in monthly installments , as long as the money was paid before the course started

princessmel · 29/05/2007 15:49

Oh really? Thats interesting lulu. The course is next week when I'm on holiday so the next one probably won't be for a while. I'll find out....

lulumama · 29/05/2007 16:00

there you go !

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