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Childbirth

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

Original poster

Episiotomy- how did it affect your next childbirth?

46 replies

midnightstarrysky · 07/12/2024 21:12

I am expecting my second baby.

With my first I required an Episiotomy.

Just wondering those mums who’ve had this and gone on to have another, how did your labour go? Did the scar reopen? Did you need another Episiotomy?

OP posts:
Tronkmanton · 07/12/2024 21:21

It was absolutely not a problem and didn’t even cross my mind. I didn’t need another one.

MonsieurBlobby · 07/12/2024 21:24

No tears/damage at all second time around.

DefyingGravy · 07/12/2024 21:25

It was absolutely fine. And the episiotomy with DC1 took months and months to heal. I had an 18 month age gap too. I’m not sure if I even tore with DC2.

Rudens · 07/12/2024 21:25

I had a horrible episiotomy with my first that took ages to heal and then healed incorrectly and I needed a surgery to fix it 9 months PP.
I was so scared about having my second but all was well. I had a 2nd degree tear but no episiotomy needed and the tear healed so quickly. Completely different experience

AdmiralCoconut · 07/12/2024 21:26

No issue at all. 2nd was born at home very easily. Small 2nd degree tear.

Playdoughcaterpillar · 07/12/2024 21:27

As above. Tiny tear second time. No stitches. No problems.

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 07/12/2024 21:28

No issue at all.
Actually got annoyed with the midwife delivering my second baby for NOT getting a doctor who would perform an episiotomy because I was over pushing and fancied the help 🤣

Feelingstrange2 · 07/12/2024 21:28

No problem with second birth.

Looking back (nearly 30 years now) my only issue with pregnancy, births and maternity was overthinking and overplanning. Everything I worried about didn't happen and the two things that did I'd never even thought about (and they were just dealt with as they arose).

Whoyoutakingto · 07/12/2024 21:30

Same no problem with subsequent births.

Whywhwhy · 07/12/2024 21:30

Same, tiny 1st degree tear that didn't need stitches. Could barely feel it 24 hours later. 2nd birth so much easier and quicker

OldTinHat · 07/12/2024 21:34

18m between my two. I had an episiotomy with my first. My second was a planned home birth and I said I wanted to tear naturally.

The tear (with no stitches) vs the episiotomy (with stitches) healed soooo much more quickly and with less pain.

teatoast8 · 07/12/2024 21:35

I had a slight tear. But wasn't that much of an issue

saturdayfilm · 07/12/2024 21:35

I had a big tear with my first. No issues in subsequent births.

teatoast8 · 07/12/2024 21:35

I only did tear because she was quick birth

teatoast8 · 07/12/2024 21:36

Sorry to add had to have stitches

jjeoreo · 07/12/2024 21:41

I had an epis with my first as had an instrumental delivery.

Second degree with my second that the newish midwife didn't stitch up too well, tbh.

Apart from a few tiny cosmetic issues, all has been well. Really no problems. I wouldn't worry too much. Perineal massage is meant to be very helpful (from about 34 weeks). Why don't you give that a go?

addictedtotheflats · 07/12/2024 21:49

Had episiotomy with my first that took months to heal, it was horrific

Second baby came out in 2 pushes with a second degree tear which I couldn't even feel. It was a dream

staybyyou · 07/12/2024 22:01

Similar to many above, I had an episiotomy with my first and it took a while to heal. I tore with my second, I did need stitches again but barely noticed it tbh and it healed very well. Second birth was much easier!

justasmalltownmum · 07/12/2024 22:07

First dc - episiotomy.
Second d. - completely fine natural labour.

SPsmama · 08/12/2024 16:07

I was worried about this too but I had my second in July and got away with a labial graze! My midwife said it was unlikely to need a second episiotomy.

LegoHouse274 · 09/12/2024 18:16

DC2 I had another episiotomy sadly, but that was another ventouse birth. The doctor at the time said they'd hope to avoid one with it being my second baby but when it came to it, they were concerned I was going to tear badly if they didn't.

DC3 was my only unassisted birth. I had a 2nd degree tear, nowhere near my episiotomy scars. Not sure on the exact size or number of stitches but the midwife told me it was smaller than a standard episiotomy.

Maybepossibly22 · 09/12/2024 18:47

DC1 - episiotomy to avoid a forceps birth
DC2 - 3rd degree tear in a different place to episiotomy so not due to that - fairly straightforward induced birth

so overall, no impact on the episiotomy in my second birth, I’m just rubbish at labour!

WonderingWanda · 09/12/2024 19:18

1st time had an episiotomy which tore and then took an age to heal. Was also worried it would split open again but it was fine. I did deliver the second on all fours which I think helped. Had a small tear to the side second time but nothing really in comparison.

kc92 · 10/12/2024 22:23

2nd degree tear on same line - but it healed so much quicker. Fully better in 3 weeks vs 3 months for the episiotomy.

lingmerth · 10/12/2024 22:52

Needed an episiotomy for both my births unfortunately.

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