Episiotomy

[HappyAsEyeAm]

My first birth was by Em CS, but I am pg with my second and am considering a vaginal delivery this time.

If I need an episiotomy, what is the procedure in relation to anaesthetising my bits? How long does it take for the anaesthetic to kick in before they actually cut? And does the anaesthetic work complete ie will I not feel a thing? I assume that if they need to perform an episiotomy, it is because they need to deliover the baby within a certain time frame, and so there may be an element of urgency involved. I am very afraid of an episiotomy, and the pain of the actual cutting, and I don't know how the whole thing works.

hiya. I had one with both kids and I can only tell you this - I was given anaesthetic to numb my bits. I COULD NOT feel any cutting or pain (in relation to the cut - I had plenty of pain in relation to the actual child coming out - I dont want to worry you but this is childbirth we're talking about!!)
I DID know they were doing it, because I felt the pressure, but it wasnt like the pain of a cut, I simply knew from the sensation what they were doing.

For DS1 the had to do it because he came out breech and his shoulder got stuck. For DS2 he simply had a gigantic head!
But honestly it was the last thing I was thinking about and better than tearing. I'm healed from both occasions :)

hello
I had a episiotomy with my dd but it was done in theater under a epidural and spinal block as I needed a forcep delivery and quite quickly they had to be prepared for csection.
I obviously didnt feel it but I didnt care I just wantedy baby out safe and sound I promise it wont worry you at the tine.
im worried this tine as theres taslk.of csection and that makes me nervous so I guess its the uknown xx

I had one with my first birth. I'd had an epidural, which was wearing off. No extra anaesthetic for the episiotomy - there simply wasn't time. But I didn't feel it at all - think it was done at the height of a contraction. It healed well, with no problems.

Tore in 2 places with my 2nd (no epidural and only G&A as pain relief) but didn't feel them either. I don't say that to try and sound hard. I just mean that for me, at least, any cutting or tearing that
happened was nothing compared to what else was going on.

Oh, but contrary to popular wisdom, the tears didn't heal half as easily as the episiotomy.....

My understanding is that the anaesthetic works pretty much immediately.

From NICE Guidelines on Intrapartum Care:
^Tested effective analgesia should be provided prior to carrying out
an episiotomy, except in an emergency due to acute fetal
compromise^

so unless your baby needs to come out RIGHT NOW then you'll have anaesthetic (prime DH to check they've done it before they cut if you aren't sure it's been administered) and given time for it to work. I think it's similar to the way a dentist gives anaesthetic - pretty fast working injection. I don't know for sure, I had an episiotomy but had already got an epidural in when they put the local in as well.

Like the others, I had my episiotomy under epidural so didn't feel a thing - I know that isn't what you needed to know! But I just wanted to reassure you that it healed with no probs at all (and it was a BIG one - fanny to bumhole). I was actually amazed at how quickly it sorted itself out, once I stopped sitting on it all the time. (Zita West Comfort Down Under balm also helped!) Within a couple of months you would never know anything had happened there. Try not to worry.

I had an episiotmy with the birth of my daughter. They cut me twice (said wasn't enough the first time) and my cut actually goes to one side. I'd only had gas an air during labour and I do not remember getting an injection before they cut (only after) so maybe it was a cream or something as I felt nothing. In fact worst bit was when she stitched me back up, she hadn't given me enough and boy did it sting.

Six months on I notice it pulling every now and again but doesn't hurt just funny sensation.

Easier said than done but try not to worry, if you need one you won't even give it a second though in the throes of labour.

Good luck :)

Like mela I didn't have anaesthetic to have my episiotomy, only to have it sewn up afterwards (and that was in pessary form rather than an injection suppository? whats the difference?) I only had gas and air too, and didn't even notice it being done!

strikeout failure!

I've had three (with three deliveries) I honestly couln't tell you if I had an anesthetic beforehand or not. It was really not a big deal. For repair afterwards you will definately get both an injection and gas and air.

I had an episiotomy but had epidural and didn't even know it was being done. Out of the whole birth drama, I'd say it's the least of the bad bits!

I'll tell you one thing, it bothered DH much more than it did me, he looked down at precisely that moment!

I had one too and don't remember the pain of the cut (had gas n air and a tens machine). Vaguely remember needle to numb area but normally procedure is done near the end of labour by which time the general pain and exhaustion has set in. the temporary catheter bloody hurt more than the needle in my vaj

25 years ago (jesus that makes me sound old) i had to deliver DD1 quickly as i had PE and baby was tiny (term 4.5lb). I had an episiotomy done....it just stung abit but then again when your perineum is stretched tight that does sting a bit too so i am not too sure which bit was which.

When it came to stitching me up i had gas and air as well as the local. The gas and air was really to relax me as everytime the doc went "down below" i kept putting him a head lock with my knees!!!!!! so to save his ears being boxed i had the gas and air....

lovely stuff

3rd degree tear with DD2.....same result.

My mum (26 years ago!) was stitched up after having me with no pain relief at all because they "didnt see the point for two or three stiches".

I had 1 with dd1 and only had pethidine which had worn off so was just on gas and air I remember dp telling me she used a local (needle) but don't remember much on the cutting side but when she stitched it it was horrible :( don't think she used enough local.

With dd2 I tore and had to be stitched again was only on gas and air and happened so quick I didn't feel it at all.

Saying that I didn't really like the midwife I had with dd1 she didn't seem 2 care I went in at 3cms was given a pethidine straight away dozing the when it wore of I was saying I was ready 2 push she didn't believe me as it had only been about a hour or so since last examination. And guess what I was 9cm so 2 me she wasnt very supportive and wasn't listning 2 me. She didn't even tell me about the episostomy :(

I had an episiotomy for a forceps delivery. It was done at the end of a prolonged pushing stage, discussed with me really clearly and I was given a local anaesthetic (i think it's called a pudendal block) by injection, by the cut site. That worked really quickly (a few minutes at most), then after I'd given birth I had another injection plus gas and air for the repair.

It healed in two weeks and you wouldn't know it had been done, although I can feel a slight bump of scar tissue if I have a feel down there, on the outside.

TBH, the anaesthetic meant I didn't have to feel the 'ring of fire' at crowning that I'd heard about so I was actually quite pleased!!