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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Another stats thread: Did you tear or have been cut?

107 replies

Rochwen · 30/08/2007 14:50

Something I didn't know before I got pregant (dd1 now 2 years old) was just how common it is for women to tear during childbirth. The ante-natal classes never really mentioned it apart from the need for an episiotomy for forceps deliveries. Now, talking to friends and fellow ante-natal group mums it seems as if almost everyone tears somehow.

What is your experience? Did you tear and/or were cut or did you manage to give birth and still have an intact perenium?

OP posts:
flightattendant · 31/08/2007 20:13

Cut first time, lying on back after epidural, Ds had cord round neck...worst position to be in! Healed fine but painful for first 2 weeks.

Tore second time, no meds and kneeling when gave birth...however Ds2 was OP (stargazer!) so that's why I tore apparently. (Widest part of head in wrong place)
Otherwise wouldn't have.

I put it down to the Epi and position the first time.

Oh second degree tear, not painful at all really, healed without me even noticing !

AbRoller · 31/08/2007 20:17

only one dd - after the epidural wore off and they told me I was too far gone for a top up I told the midwife I'd f**kin kill her if she didn't cut me - she did then Not a very proud moment in my life but I really did think I was going to die!

Next time will go to all ante-natal classes

berolina · 31/08/2007 20:18

ds - episiotomy, ventouse. Painless as had epidural, and healed incredibly well - just slight soreness for the first few days. Every now and then I feel it prickling very, very slightly.

jay11 · 31/08/2007 20:27

dd1 - cut for ventouse, didn't feel a thing
ds - tore and stitched, worse than the labour!
dd2 - tore, too scared to be stitched so allowed to heal naturally which was great until I tried to climb onto the kitchen worktop 2 weeks later and tore again - doh!

pointydog · 31/08/2007 20:39

first time, cut
second time, tore

Bainmarie · 31/08/2007 20:45

Was cut first time, tore second time.

TheJen · 31/08/2007 20:46

Technically the ONLY reason to be cut is if the baby becomes distressed and needs out quickly. If you are cut you will definately have muscles involved (2nd degree) if you tear it may only be skin (1st degree). I think better to risk it and chance having no damage at all. I had home birth 4 months ago- tore and had lots of stitches but honestly not that bad- piles were far worse!!!

Beauregard · 31/08/2007 20:50

Small tear no stitches for both dd's.

Beauregard · 31/08/2007 20:51

should read with dd's

MonkeyandBabyBoo · 31/08/2007 21:08

1st - DS - Episiotomy for forceps delivery
2nd - DD - 3rd degree tear

allthegearnoidea · 31/08/2007 21:16

cut and stitches for forcep delivery

j20baby · 31/08/2007 21:17

mw threatened to cut me if i didn't push harder, tore quite badly inside but refused to be stitched.

Klaw · 31/08/2007 23:23

DS - emCS due to piss up in a brewery, chocolate fire guard type of care in hospital

DD - VBAC with forceps assist - Spinal and Episiotemy due to diamorphine and unbeknownst-to-me Hospital policy time limits

Rochwen am I right in recalling that you are in the Granite City? Would be interested in picking your brains if so....

Frizbe · 31/08/2007 23:30

Have 2, no tears, or cuts, both delivered naturally, one on the bed, one in the pool.

Original poster
Rochwen · 01/09/2007 10:44

klaw just cat me and I'll get in touch with you.

OP posts:
mamazon · 01/09/2007 10:52

ds - cut
dd - tore slightly

ScoobyDooooo · 01/09/2007 10:53

Ds - Cut
Dd - grazing no stitches.

Klaw · 01/09/2007 10:56

sorry Rochwen, don't have CAT facilities, skint :-(

Would you mind going to my website on my profile and email me via contact form? Sorry for the inconvenience!

grouchyoscar · 01/09/2007 10:59

MW offered an episiotomy for DS's shoulders but I said I'd try without and I listened to what she told me to do. Got away with 'labial grazes' according to the notes. Again MW offerred a stitch and again I said 'nah, it'll stop' (please note, I am evidently insane). It didn't half sting when I had my 1st wee .

I was encouraged to practise perenial massage while pregnant and I'm sure it gave me a more elastic perenium when it mattered. Probably explains why I was so gung ho with the MW tbh.

Ds was 8 5 btw

Mommalove · 01/09/2007 11:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

itwasntme · 01/09/2007 11:21

No epesiotomy or tearing.

Judging by the statistics on this thread, I must have either had a marvellous midwife or I just have a massive fanjo.

Chattyhan · 01/09/2007 11:30

2nd degree tear and stitches were more painful than birth (don't think local anathestic had kicked in) but healed well and within a week.

grouchyoscar · 01/09/2007 11:42

IWM...maybe you had a fab MW and an elastic fanjo?

Pollyanna · 01/09/2007 11:42

first 3 dcs - 2nd degree tears (all very very quick second stages)
4th dc - a small tear, no stitches required - midwife suggested I lie on my back to make the second stage slower (I had told her about the first 3)- this worked, but was less comfortable.

franke · 01/09/2007 11:44

They wanted to cut, I told them to f off. I tore (2nd degree), many stitches, all healed and forgotten about within 10 days.