Episiotomy

[Bozbiza]

I’m due to give birth to my second child in a month, with my first I had to have an episiotomy and I wasn’t numbed at all, it wasn’t until I was being stitched and I couldn’t keep still that I was given a numbing injection. Is this normal? To be cut without numbing? I haven’t really thought about it until it’s getting nearer and the fear is starting to kick in for this birth if it results in a similar outcome. I mean don’t get me wrong I will do whatever I am advised to keep us safe but just wondered if it is normal practice.

I'm not sure, but if you're about to tear in the wrong direction that would be worth a swift cut for me!

I had an episiotomy with my first but had no need with my second. I hope you have similar luck.

I'm sorry I can't help but I can literally feel your pain. Had an episiotomy with my first. I remember hearing you looked like you were going to tear so I cut you. And the pain afterwards I swear I can still feel it 34 years on.
But I didn't have tears/cuts with the following 2 if that is of any help.

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/episiotomy-and-perineal-tears/

It looks like pain relief is more usual.

I'm not sure if it's normal, but the same happened to me and because I was haemmoraging so bad they didn't bother with pain relief (until I was screaming). 2nd baby was a different experience though, totally straightforward!

With my first I had an episiotomy with local anaesthetic for a forceps delivery. My second was another emergency episiotomy with no time for any anaesthetic.

No idea but like fuck would someone give me an episiotomy without numbing first. If it makes you feel better i was super anxious with my second as i had episiotomy and forceps with my first but my labour and birth was an absolute breeze compared, 4 hours compared to 30, i had an epidural this time which i would highly recommend, she arrived 20 mins after my epidural was put in. Good luck

I had episiotomy and forceps with no pain relief or numbing etc. There just wasn’t time and everything went super quickly. Didn’t feel the episiotomy but the stitching was so painful and that’s when they finally gave a numbing injection I think. Didn’t help much though.
I want a second baby but the memories of the first birth put me off a bit.
I imagine you could put it in your birth plan though - like ‘if I need intervention eg episiotomy, please offer pain relief’

Oh yes that’s a good idea thank you, I did feel the cut and they didn’t say they were going to do it! I mean of course I would do it a million times over for a healthy baby but I’m just trying to mentally prepare myself this time so I don’t feel as traumatised 🤣

I remember being given gas and air for the stitches and they did them at the same time they let me hold my baby for the first time and Stevie wonders isn't she lovely came on the radio at the same time. And everything is worth it but I do think it was a traumatic experience.
I think the worse pain I ever had was going for a poo in the weeks afterwards with my stitches and there was no pain relief for that I remember doing my panting and kneeling on all fours on the floor in agony.
But as I've already said up thread the second and third births were totally different.
Second only took 55 mins from waters popping to baby out! No pain relief necessary

I actually think that's awful that they didn't even tell you, or use numbing, although they may have had reason for not numbing. I would see if your still able to have a debrief and also be clear on your birth plan that you have trauma from episiotomy and have you birth partner advocate, that if you need one you are probably treated.

As with others I needed an episiotomy first time but was fully numb from an epidural. Second time didn't need to, came out easily.

So firstly, no I don't think it's normal to have it without consultantion or numbing, could be classed as abuse.

Secondly, your less likely to need an episiotomy second time.

I had planned ones for both my babies- the first time I was given a local injection but they cut before it had taken effect and I certainly felt it. 😳On the second delivery I kept on at them to let me know when it was going to be done so I could be sure I was numb which they did and it was fine. I have heard they may cut if it can be seen you are going to tear so may not have time to numb you. Both of mine were planned due to previous surgery on my back passage.

I had an episiotomy and was numbed before. Didn’t feel it at all, or the stitching.

They didn’t say they were going to do it?! That’s basically assault..

I was cut without numbing but was numbed for when I was stitched.

I elected to tear with no stitching for DC2.

I remember being sooo sore after DC1 and struggling to walk/sit. No recollection of that from DC2 but there were only 18m between them so I may have been too busy to notice!

Same here, 40 min labour no pain relief, and 1.5hours stitching 😄 (with a spinal I might add)

Apparently tearing is a better recovery/more ideal as it takes the easiest/most natural path whereas an episiotomy is just straight down or whatever. I can’t really differentiate as had an episiotomy and still had a 3C tear so can’t tell what was what really.

OP definitely talk to your midwife about this and hopefully you won’t need an epis and if you do there will be notes about it in your birth plan.

@BingoMarieHeeler is it really better to tear? I thought an episiotomy was often to avoid tearing towards your back passage which can lead to long term issues. I was cut to the side to discourage that.

Loving the username btw