Episiotomy

[lockdownpregnancy]

Hi ladies.
So I keep being told to do my birth plan so I've finally downloaded the template from the NHS website and started completing it.
I also keep being told not to bother as it all goes out the window anyway! 🤪🤪🤪
It mentions having an Episiotomy.
I just want to know that if I do give birth naturally whether I should consent to this.
I tear easily having a rough sex (apologies for the TMI) so I'm thinking of saying yes as I don't want my lady bits ruined with third degree tears etc.
Anyone had one? If so what it's like and what is recovery like afterwards?
I'm not seeing my MW for another couple of weeks so I'll talk to her then about it too, but just want anyone's take on it who have had it done.

TIA 🥰

Hmmmmm if needed I'd say have one...
Although I had a large one with my second (failed vontousse and forceps as he was stuck) and still tore into my anal area too. To be honest I healed well and the issues I have arnt related to that.
I took longer to heal the first time when I tore rather then be cut.

Thank you everyone! I have a funny feeling that baby is going to be big (all the boys in DH's family were born 10lb plus! 😳😳😳) so being cut maybe a better option than just winging it and hoping I don't tear!
I will just have to wait and see! Thank you so much!

By the sounds of it you have time to prepare so should defo look into perineal massage at least. I have tried it and found it uncomfortable and didn't imagine it helping me too much personally so I bought the aniball which is a balloon that you can pump up and use it in two ways, the first way helps you strengthen the pelvic floor and the other way is to get your body used to stretching slowly but surely. I really am expecting it to help me because I've made so much progress with how comfortable I am using it now. Due date is in 3 days so I don't know how much it will help me but so far I recommend it!

I’ve had an episiotomy. I’m now 3w pp & it’s still sore! It’s very slow with healing. The stitches broke down early on. I have a friend who had a 3rd degree & recovered quickly.
Another friend had an episiotomy & a section. She said she recovered better from the section.

I had an episiotomy that bled a lot which then led to some other issues. It was for the ventouse though and helped get baby out. It's healed well in the long run.

My episiotomy was agony after a few days because it got infected. Took a couple of weeks before I could even walk. Felt like I was sitting on broken glass.

What got it to heal was a midwife advising me to put a few drops of lavender oil & a chamomile tea bag in the bath. Worked a charm. I would really advise getting some in advance anyway as most people tear.

Quite mixed isn't it? I suppose every woman is different but I think agreeing to it will probably be better in the long run, especially if they need to get him out quickly.

Yes dont let what I said put you off, it only got infected as I didnt clean it properly looking back & I basically burst my stitches on day 2 when I had to sprint to the nurse's station for help (baby was choking). No long term effects now and scar has healed nicely, not noticeable at all.

I had an episiotomy and forceps delivery three weeks ago. I had put in my birth plan that I specifically didn’t want a forceps delivery but at the last minute the obstetrician decided it was the best thing to deliver the baby quickly. I obviously hadn’t signed the consent but all the doctors and midwives advised me this was the best course of action. I said I would rather have a c-section but they said the baby was too far down and they would have to push him back up to do a section. It wasn’t as bad as I thought and now I’m glad they did it as he arrived safely and the tearing wasn’t as bad as I feared, the episiotomy was only a second degree tear. I also had a small tear from the forceps. They cut in a direction which minimises the risk of third/fourth degree tears and damage to the perineum. It’s been three weeks and I am well healed, the stitches are gone and the wound is now a scar. Still tender but not long to go until I’m 100% healed. I would suggest you write what you want in your birth plan, if you don’t want an episiotomy you can put that in. At least the docs and midwives will know your wishes, even if it ends up that they have to perform an episiotomy anyway (although they will discuss it with you before they do anything).

My midwife suggested taking a bath everyday with a few drops of essential lavender oil in it to help with the healing. I healed very well and quicker than I thought so maybe worth looking into if you do end up having one.

Thanks ladies, though my issue with that very handy tip is I have no bath only a shower! 😭
Might just go to my moms every now and then for that one though!
She can look after baby and I'll have a nice soak in the tub! 🤪🤪🤪