If you had an episiotomy with first.. how was your second?

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I had an episiotomy and ventouse with my first baby. My stitches caused me pain for five months and it became extremely painful to have sex - which has still lingered 2 years on.

My second baby is due in a few months and I’m considering my birth options this time around. I’m not sure I could handle another episiotomy/tear.

Would love to hear from those who had an episiotomy first time around and how following births went :)

I had exactly the same as you first time episiotomy and ventouse- I had no issue healing no pan beyond the first week or so. My second was a very straight forward birth, some tearing with stitches that healed fine after. I was concerned in my second pregnancy as I had excess fluid and there was so much pressure down there but it all went smoothly.

Sounds the same as me and I had retained placenta both time as well. My husband also commented very similar for my second which I wasn’t very impressed about!

Episiotomy / ventouse with first DC (8lb 7oz) 3rd degree tear with DC 2 (10lb 1 oz and 58cm long). I think the tear was, at least in part, due to poor midwifery skills.

I had lingering pain and then discomfort after my first (epidural episiotomy Ventouse retained placenta), then tore with both 2 and 3 (water births for both) but was stitched up better and recovered fully.
so you could look forward to possible improvement if you have another vaginal birth.

Both babies were 10lb+.

DS1 was a shoulder dystopia so I had a rapid episiotomy so the midwife could perform the necessary manoeuvre to get him out. 😱.

DS2 three years later, more or less natural birth and I had a ‘graze’ near the scar, no stitches required, and it healed up fine.

2 minutes active labour - born in water no tears

Episiotomy and assisted delivery both times. Labour is fine until they start to crown, then just nothing happens.

First time, I had an episiotomy wound the length of the M11. Took forever to heal, made sitting a nightmare.

Second time, I tore minimally, and it was fine within a few days.

Episiotomy with my first but nothing with my second. second was a very straightforward birth- completely different from the first

I had an episiotomy for my first and didn’t have sex for 4 months after because it hurt so much and the stitches came undone. The second baby I had a water home birth. I birthed her head in 4 pushes when I felt ready and her body in 1. I had a second degree tear straight down (which was not where the episiotomy was) but the tear didn’t need stitches this time said the midwife which was good. I didn’t need to use my wee bottle like I did for ages after my first. I felt back to normal almost instantly and I think I had sex 10 weeks later but could have probably done it earlier if I could be bothered. Second baby was much heavier as well 8 pound 10.

I had a similar experience to you first time round - episiotomy, although with forceps - and took ages to heal and was left with uncomfortable scar tissue. Second time round, no forceps or intervention (or pain relief 😬 - not out of choice!) as she rushed out. No cut or tear at all. Good luck! I hope your second birth goes smoothly

First birth I had episiotomy with forceps. Took months to heal. Horrid.
Second birth the baby came really quickly and I just had a small graze. Was a completely different experience and almost enjoyable compared to the first 😅