episiotomies - not as awful as people think?

[miniegg]

this post is for pregnant mnetters who are worried about having to have an episiotomy.. I was TERRIFIED of this and thought it would be an absolute nightmare. Couldn't believe it when I had to have one...was so upset and disappointed. but it wasn't half as bad as I'd feared and has now healed up perfectly.
It was only painful for a few days afterwards, when everything down below was painful anyway.
So, please don't dread this happening to you!
Now my baby is eight weeks old and i've just had a look "down there" and you can barely even see where the episiotomy was.

I agree miniegg - I tore in both labours and healed completely. It really wasn't that bad.

agree

episiotomy with ds1 - v neat and tidy, not sore at all

tore with ds2 - took longer to settle and scarring feels a bit lumpy

agree

They'll only do it if you really need it and I'm sure by that point you really won't care what they do to you!

agree - was the biggest thing I was worried about! Had one and it didn´t bother me in the slightest and healed very quickly.

I don't think I even noticed it being done. I can't remember pain afterwards with it either.

Agreed - I had a small episiotomy and it caused me no problems at all. Worst thing about it was that the midwife was so pleased with her handiwork (the cut and the stitches) that she proudly pointed it out to a doctor who popped his head round the door while I was still legs akimbo in stirrups ("Now THAT'S what I call an episiotomy...")

I agree, didn't give a hoot what was going on at that point with DS1!!! DH however, thinks it was the single most awful spectator experience of either of his two births Poor thing.

Yep - didn't feel a thing (had a local anaesthetic as I wasn't on any pain relief), definitely worth doing as LO popped out one push later.

Sorry, but mine was as bad as I'd feared. A lot depends on how deep it is I think. The episiotomy after DS2's birth was much more painful than my caesarean scar after DS1 and took at least two painful weeks to heal.

my friend who is a doctor shouted out whilst pushing "an episiotomy is prefereable to a third degree tear!" (literally a textbook answer!)and was duly given one, baby shot out and she healed nicely, much much quicker than me and my 2nd degree tear.. but i was in a pool so not much choice!

I had an episiotomy, my dh said they cut me as far as they could (ds had a big head ) I wasn't aware of being cut as I had had an epidural, and I didn't feel being stitched up either, but by god I was in agony for nearly two weeks afterwards. Still doesn't feel right to me now, and I am dreading having to have another one with ds2, who is due in a week

agree with tutter - episiotomy nice and tidy and healed well - tearing was MUCH worse, painful afterwards and problems for months

i do not reckon men should watch/see their DPs having an episiotomy. Part of the reason i was so afraid of it happening is that my DH witnessed his first wife getting one and was absolutely horrified by it.... he was out in the corridor when mine was done!

yes
DD had episitomy - healed very well and with no probs
tore a bit along the epsisotomy site with DS 6 months ago - again, has healed pretty well with no problems

I would much rather have one than a bad tear, and with DD, she was a slight shoulder dystocia and the episiotomy helped get her out quickly, which was the main thing at the time

A big thank you for all of the answers you've posted. I am 32 weeks pregnant with my first and very very petite and have been told that an episiotomy is very probable. I've been extremely anxious about this possibility but reading this thread has certainly helped. Thanks.