Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

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

Flip

Original poster

Not sure I want to know the answer but here goes..

25 replies

BedtimeBear · 20/03/2010 09:30

For those of you who had episiotomies the first time, did the scar tear with your second birth? [cringe] I had an episiotomy for forceps almost 4 years ago, second baby due in two weeks. Just wondering whether to expect a big tear or a few stitches? Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

shushpenfold · 20/03/2010 09:32

For me yes, with the next two! I have a friend who didn't though. Don't dwell - it doesn't help! xx

shushpenfold · 20/03/2010 09:34

Sorry - forgot to say. The second child was a big tear yes (2nd degree) but was more to do with dd coming out with hand on her head than with the epi. 3rd child, dd2 was a smallish tear and not as painful as dd1.

elliepac · 20/03/2010 09:35

Well, as already said, not worth worrying about because by the time it comes you'll just be desperate for it all to end! However, fwiw, i had episiotomy for ventouse with DC1 and 4 1/2 years later gave birth to DC2 with only a tiny tear that needed no stitches although she was nearly a pound lighter! HTH

HellBent · 20/03/2010 09:40

I didn't, DC2 was lighter and didn't come out like superman (one arm and head first!) Slight graze and no stitches required. Good luck!

nubbins · 20/03/2010 09:46

I had an episiotomy with my first, and with my second, they did it in the same place though so there is no extra scaring, at the time i didn't notice. Am fully expecting to need one again this time around and it really doesn't bother me.

heavenstobetsy · 20/03/2010 09:52

I had an episiotomy and forceps with my first and like you was dreading my second birth - but, it was awesome!

pushing stage was really quick but I did exactly what the midwife told me and even though my second child was a pound heavier than the first (and with a larger head!)my scar remained intact and I had just a tiny tear which didn't need stitches and healed in less than a week

good luck - it isn't a given you will tear again so as shush says, try not to dwell

porcamiseria · 20/03/2010 10:42

same situation as you, dont think you can predict! at least if I tear this time I will think to take some bloody painkillers!!!!

SmallShips · 20/03/2010 10:47

I had a very small tear with my second after an episiotomy with my first, it didn't require stitches and TBH I didn't even notice it.

ShowOfHands · 20/03/2010 10:52

A good rl friend had a 3rd degree tear with her first, required surgery immediately afterwards. Second was born 2.5yrs later, no tear, 3rd after another 2yrs, slight labial graze (ouch), 4th after another 2yrs, tiny tear, no stitches.

chimchar · 20/03/2010 10:55

i tore naturally first time...was horrific...massiver load of stitches..just horrid. second time, had a baby who was a chunky 10lbs (2lbs heavier than first!) and i had a tiny tear with no stitches.

third time, baby was 8lb 9oz and i had a "little graze" requiring no stitches. don't make the mistake that i did though and looked at my tiny graze in the mirror a few hours after giving birth....was nothing of the sort, it was a huge massive gaping chasm!!!!!!

ime, you are able to tune in more to the midwife and do as you are told to avoid tearing etc..

hope it goes well for you.

Northernlurker · 20/03/2010 11:00

Just to say I've had an episiotomy with all my births (3) and it's not the end of the world. I've always healed really well. Just make sure the person doing the stitches knows what they're doing (ask for an experienced midwife to do them) Hopefully you won't tear or need a cut but if you do - it's mostly fine!

smilehomebirth · 20/03/2010 11:04

Had episiotomy with dd1, took at least 5 weeks to settle down enough to sit down comfortably...

Nice homebirth in the pool with dd2, had a very small tear, no stitching required, don't think it was even at the site of the epi, but not sure. Sitting comfortably before the week was out.

Original poster

BedtimeBear · 20/03/2010 11:22

Thank you everyone for your replies. It sounds like it's not always a given then, and even if you do tear/need another epi it doesn't seem so bad! Tbh I'm not sure if it was the epi or forceps that meant a long healing time last time but I'm not keen to repeat am thinking of putting 'NO forceps' on birth plan, just the thought of them makes me 'clench'!!

OP posts:

sockmonkey · 20/03/2010 11:41

I had epi for forceps delivery first time, and tore too, took quite a while to heal. [ouch emoticon] Was very worried about same thing happening again, but, dc2 & 3 were fine, only slight grazes.
Saying no forceps might be a good idea if it puts your mind at ease.

Original poster

BedtimeBear · 20/03/2010 12:39

Porcamiseria- I'll keep my fingers (or should that be legs!) crossed for you too then. Thanks everyone, feel quite reassured by your answers. If anyone is still there.. those who didn't need a second epi or didn't tear badly, did you give birth laying, standing, crouching etc? Am wondering if having an epidural and laying flat may have some bearing?

OP posts:

Trikken · 20/03/2010 12:53

I had quite a big tear with first, with second only needed a couple of stitches so it was a lot better.

sockmonkey · 20/03/2010 17:58

didn't have an epidural 2nd & 3rd time, but did push 'em out laying down.

sheeplikessleep · 20/03/2010 19:29

I had episiotomy for my first - had an epidural, so was lying on my back and had ventouse delivery.

Had DS2 2 weeks ago - I did tear (2nd degree, not sure if it was old scar tissue or a 'new' tear), but to be honest, the whole labour and childbirth was SO much better this time. Was 6 hours (rather than 30) and I honestly didn't realise I was tearing at the time.

Good luck

bellawilliams · 20/03/2010 19:41

Episiotomy for the first, (10lb) and v small tears for 2 and 3 - no stitching required. But I agree - you won't care at the time, and what can you do about it anyway? Good luck! x

DoctorAficionadoDelArse · 20/03/2010 19:47

episiotomy and stitches with dd1 who was under 6lbs and no epi or tears with subsequent babies who were 3 lbs heavier.

twinklegreen · 20/03/2010 20:05

I had an epsiostomy and ventouse with dd1.
With ds had a graze that didn't need stitches (despite him being 10lb6!)
dd2 I had no tears at all.

happynappies · 20/03/2010 20:24

I had an episiotomy and ventouse with dd1, and yes had a 2nd degree tear second time around, ds was bigger... and I didn't feel it at the time, but it was uncomfortable afterwards. Good luck - sounds like lots of people don't tear, so think positive and am sure all will go well.

HKmama · 21/03/2010 11:59

I have been fretting over the same thing. I live abroad and see an obstetrician here so I asked him the other day and he charmingly said "Don't worry - it's all stretched now so it rarely tears or needs cutting the second time!" I was glad my husband wasn't there...

Original poster

BedtimeBear · 21/03/2010 14:20

Hkmama- what a charming way of putting it! Am feeling a lot less worried now. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:

smilehomebirth · 21/03/2010 15:42

Just read Michel Odent's Childbirth Without Fear, he reckons forceps are a totally outdated tool, they never used them at his maternity hospital in Pithivers or whatever the place was called. They used ventouse-type contraption sometime, otherwise it was CS under a short GA (they never did epidurals because that's usually what makes forceps a necessity). Their CS rate was about 7% (compared to about 25% in the UK today isn't it?).

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread