Births AFTER episiotomy

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Has anybody had a natural birth after a previous birth which ended with an episiotomy?

My first birth ended with forceps and episiotomy due to big baby being back to back and heart rate dipping. In hindsight I definitely think I should of had a C Section instead... I am now thinking of having a second child and have been given the option for a C Section but would love the chance to have the natural water birth I have always dreamed of.

If you've had a natural birth after having an episiotomy how did you find it? Did it make any difference to your later births? Would I need to have another episiotomy? I'm very eager to not have to go through it again as I very much struggled with the recovery

I had an episiotomy with my 1st and then 2 water births (no pain relief needed) for dc2 and dc3. I did need stitches after all births (2nd degree) although I don't think that was a result of having the episiotomy with my first.

Recovery was fine.

Congratulations and good luck.

My first birth was similar to yours..forceps and episiotomy. Second a walk in the park by comparison. No forceps small hardly notice it happend episotomy (morphine helped with that). Very calm. First went on for forever and was much more painful. Every birth is different good luck.

First birth - episiotomy

Second birth - episiotomy

Third birth....... I had a hacking cough that my doctor would not prescribe anything for and when it was time to stop pushing I coughed and the baby shot out and I tore massively. It would have been another episiotomy I am sure.

All healed nicely afterwards - even the massive tear.

Episiotomy with DC1. Natural tear with DC2 but tbh much less bothersome than the episiotomy and couldn’t have been prevented. I think it’s relatively normal to have an episiotomy with your first birth but not need one in subsequent births. I certainly wouldn’t give up on the idea of a water birth if I were you.

I certainly wouldn’t give up on the idea of a water birth if I were you. Having said this, you shouldn’t NOT have a CS if you’re worried about post-birth issues. As I say, I found my episiotomy relatively upsetting post-birth compared to natural tear but I have no idea how much was familiarity of having experienced birth before and realising a vaginal birth just does mean painful recovery in intimate places no matter what. First time with an episiotomy I could tell you ALL about the episiotomy, about going for my first poo, how I felt generally about it all down there ... by the second I can’t really recall as clearly any of the post-birth stuff.

If you are worried about this aspect going for a CS isn’t in any way a failure. You need to understand yourself in terms of what you need to happen to feel happiest. No wrong answer as long as it’s your answer.

Episotomy with first DC, Natural tearing with second DC and hers was a much faster labour. I was so much better the second time tearing naturally!.
I wasn't even offered a c.section

1st Episiotomy
2nd Double Episiotomy
3rd C Section

I don't think my bits are made for natural child birth unfortunately.

First birth : Had an episiotomy followed by a further large tear that required surgical repair.

Second birth : Nothing. Remained entirely intact. I didn't have any intervention that time today though and was upright so maybe that helped. Also long ago between babies.

Long gap not long ago 🙄

DS1 I had an episiotomy, and was stitched by my supremely amazing OBGYn.

DS2 I didn't tear or need one at all.

First birth - ventouse and episiotomy, difficult recovery
Second birth - waterbirth and second degree tear, much easier recovery

Dc1 episiotomy.

Dc2 no episiotomy and no tearing at all. A knowledgeable midwife managed the actual birth and I was able to stay calm enough to follow her instructions.

DC1 small episiotomy- done after 4.5 hours of pushing! Tried for a water birth and hated it.

DC2 small tear after 30 mins of pushing. Healed quickly. No mention of previous episiotomy throughout whole pregnancy.

Bit surprised you were given option of c section due to episiotomy first time round? Unless there are other factors too

Dc1 has episiotomy and ventouse
Dc2 has 3rd degree tear but the least severe kind
Dc3 I was worried due to previous tear but went with a vaginal birth again and was fine (2nd degree tear).

Was really glad in the end as recovering from an c section with older kids to look after would’ve been challenging so I was glad to avoid it if possible

I had an episiotomy both times and in total honesty I didn't know either time until afterwards that I'd had one! And I didn't have any pain relief other than gas and air (I was a bit stoned on that though tbf!) apart from stinging in the shower for a little while afterwards I didn't have any trouble from it later, either.