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Childbirth

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

Original poster

If you had an episiotomy with first birth, what happened second time?

134 replies

CoteDAzur · 06/02/2009 17:12

Please tell.

Obstetrician said that there is a 50% (!!!) chance I will need/have an episiotomy this time because I had one last time. Something about the scar tissue not stretching.

I'm freaking out like you would not believe

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Original poster
CoteDAzur · 08/02/2009 18:47

I do intend to stay home as long as possible, but I'm not brave enough (or too paranoid) for a a homebirth - what if baby needs immediate medical attention?

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Original poster
CoteDAzur · 08/02/2009 18:51

Thank you for your experiences lilian & nappyzone. It helps to hear of better second experiences.

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AnnasBananas · 08/02/2009 19:19

Had episiotomy with first. Unfortunately, I tore along the same scar line with no 2 but not too badly, and less stitches than the first time.

Try not to worry about it, stay positive as much as you can (I tried to keep forefront in my mind that other than the episiotomy I was lucky to have had a straight-forward delivery and a healthy baby, that is the most important thing.

As much as possible listen to and work together with your midwife and do what you're told ie don't push when they say not to! I was 100% focussed on my midwife I promised I'd do exactly what she said if I could avoid tearing etc. Went mostly to plan!

If you do end up with a tear, don't worry about it. Bur rest, rest, rest do your pelvic floors straight away to speed healing and let your body heal slowly and gently...your future sex life depends on it. (Best advice I have ever been given)

PS my friend had episiotomy with No1, nothing with No2 or No3!! See it can happen.

Good luck to you for a happy and healthy delivery.

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 08/02/2009 19:32

Did you have a median (straight down) or mediolateral (to the side) episiotomy?

Doctor says he will cut along episiotomy scar if necessary because if he doesn't I could tear towards the anus and that would really be horrible. I would be interested to hear if tearing occurs along previous episiotomy and not straight down.

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troutpout · 08/02/2009 19:40

haven't read thread but i had an episiotomy first time...and then again 5 years later with pg no2.It was badly done and sewn up imo the first time(although i only have the second one to compare it to.The second time they had to cut me again because i had thick scar tissue that didn't stretch. I cannot fault the second episiotomy (done by midwife)...it healed superquick and you can see nothing of it now compared to the horrible scarring of the first time. Also i had pain and discomfort from the first one for about a year after.With the second one i felt fine after about 2 weeks
So i'm thinking it depends on the scar tissue

loobylu3 · 08/02/2009 20:25

It sounds as if he is trying to scare you! They obviously do more episiotomies in France than they do here. You are much more likely to stretch better second time around even if baby is bigger. Have you tried perineal massage as this should help? It might also help to talk to more people with really postive birthing experiences as you sound v anxious!
Good luck!

morocco · 08/02/2009 20:33

c section first time - agony afterwards (which I only mention in case it seems less painful option)

epi second time round, hardly hurt at all

no tears third time round, 'just' bad grazes, dd was a pound heavier than the other 2. grazes were way more painful than epi though. I wonder if you do have another epi if you'll find the pain to be very bearable this time round cos (hopefully) no infection. mine barely hurt at all and healed v quickly

Kafka · 09/02/2009 00:02

I did not have one second ime, did tear, but dramatically different regarding healing, sooo much better no infection and no pain.

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 09/02/2009 08:09

Well, I do expect to find pain more bearable this time, whether from c-sectionor another epi because I will go into the hospital with my own stash of painkillers and antibiotics. None of that "Here's a paracetamol, next one in for hours"

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cluckyagain · 09/02/2009 08:13

Cote

I had an epi with the first, a 7 lb early ds and then had 2 minor tears with dds - both 8 lbs. An epi wasn't even thought of. Tear with dd2 was much better though as upright on hands and knees on bed - DON'T give birth lying down!

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 09/02/2009 08:18

Yes, I intend to be on all fours for the birth. Doctor already thinks I'm mental, so should be ok

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Original poster
CoteDAzur · 09/02/2009 08:22

I'm on my way to my second appointment with psychologist of the maternity ward, by the way. Our first chat has scared her enough to talk to both my doctor and head MW. Not that I get any relief from talking to her but if it makes doctor try his best not to do an episiotomy this time, that is worth talking to her each of the remaining 16 weeks of this pregnancy.

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kif · 09/02/2009 10:02

3 babies:

dc1 - cut,
dc2 - tear,
dc 3 - graze.

AnnasBananas · 09/02/2009 10:28

The episiotomy from No 1 was mediolateral, but I tore too vertically at the same time (towards the anus...sorry if TMI). I think they knew I was going to tear badly so did the episiotomy to try and prevent the tear, but I did still tear a bit.

I never had any pain or scar tissue problems from the first birth. But I literally did nothing for the first ten days, just stayed in the house and breastfed. Tried not to walk up and down the stairs too much.

For delivery No 2 I tore vertically again down the tear scar. So I didn't tear at all along the first episiotomy scar. Sorry if my first post was a bit confused.

I had both my babies in Germany, basically I think you can't get away without having an episiotomy if it's your first, it seems to be the norm completely there. I was sewn up by an obstetrician, though not a midwife.

AnnasBananas · 09/02/2009 10:36

Another positive thought for you...

everyone I know (with no exceptions) has had a better/easier/less terrifying/faster labour with their subsequent babies!

Mine was too, even though I did still tear. I'm sure you'll be remembering the thought of it is worse than when it actually happens.

Hope you can get some reassurance from the hospital staff and MW's. It's great that you are aiming for an active birth, too. DO eeverything you can to keep up off the bed, it all helps.

idobelieveinfairies · 09/02/2009 10:39

I had an epsiotomy with DD1...she was born with her arm around her neck so it was elbow and head out first!

With all my other children (that were a ot heavier it was just grazes...so it is dooable

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 09/02/2009 11:37

AnnasBananas - So median tearing (towards the anus) was not the end of the world. No incontinence issues? Sorry I ask too many questions but I'm way past tminand just want to have as much info as possible at the moment.

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warthog · 09/02/2009 11:42

had episiotomy with dd1, administered while i was on all fours on the bed.

had 2nd deg tear with dd2, gave birth standing up as i had no time to get on the bed. lots of stitches.

no incontinence with either experience.

hope you're ok. makes a big difference if you're on all fours vs. in stirrups! sounds like your ob might be quite flexible though.

Niecie · 09/02/2009 11:49

I had an episiotomy with DS1 (due to forceps). I had nothing but a little tear along the scar with DS2 even though he was delivered by an ambulance crew so not exactly a text book, controlled birth. TBH I didn't feel the graze either whilst it happened or afterwards.

DS1, who had to be hauled out, was 6lb 10oz and DS2, who dropped out, was 9lb.

mumof2222222222222222boys · 09/02/2009 11:50

i had episiotomy with DS1 (7lb 13oz) - experience was generlly pretty horrible, but actaully the recovery from the epi was fine and no issues re incontinence etc. I was paranoid about diet (ate fruit and beans like they were going out of fashion!)

With DS2, (27 months later) I began to get a bit panicky - remembering how awful the whole thing was...anyway, although I shouted for an epidural from start to finish, I was only in hospital for 3 hours before he arrived, and no tearing or epi at all.... I was a bit grazed, but nothing to get worked up about. He was 7lb 9oz.

After DS1 I couldn't think about having another (I was a bit shocked by whole thing), but while in the labour room with DS2 I thought, I could do it again.

Original poster
CoteDAzur · 09/02/2009 11:50

Did you tear along episiotomy scar or straight down towards anus? I'm asking because you said no incontinence issues and doctor seemed to be saying tearing in this manner leads to such problems.

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Original poster
CoteDAzur · 09/02/2009 11:52

That last post was to warthog btw.

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warthog · 09/02/2009 11:53

not sure who you're asking, but my tear was towards anus. no incontinence probs.

warthog · 09/02/2009 11:53

x-posted!

Seeline · 09/02/2009 11:59

I had an episiotomy first time (due to ventouse) and tore badly as well (towards anus) Consultant considered caesar second time, but said that there was the same chance as tearing again as there had first time - not affected by what happened previously. Anyway had normal VB second time, baby was 8lbs (bigger than the first) and just had a couple of stitches and minor grazing.

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