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Original poster

Talk to me about an episiotomy...

41 replies

PotatoPolly · 23/01/2014 12:59

DH came home from work and said that he'd been discussing this with his mate (why?!) and that the friend said that his wife had refused an episiotomy and ended up with an EMCS mid way through the birth.

The reasoning was that the skin would never, ever heal properly and would be prone to opening for the rest of her life.

Don't want to scare myself with Dr Google, so any opinions on this please? I want to make an informed decision!

Thanks!

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ChaffinchOfDoom · 23/01/2014 13:02

haha that's bollocks - it's one of the most common procedures in the world; I had one and tore as well and my bits have never been better!

TheNumberfaker · 23/01/2014 13:03

Well I had an episiotomy with DD1 and that healed perfectly. DD2 came out so quickly I had a really jagged tear that opened up a few days later and when I weed the pain was excruciating.
You need to watch Dara o Briain's sketch on it...

Seeline · 23/01/2014 13:03

I had one and tore too. I all healed up fine, although was quite sore for a couple of weeks.

Hellymummy · 23/01/2014 13:07

I had one with Babba 1 and at the tine it didn't hurt couldn't feel anything and didn't really for next few hours! It did sting a bit and bit swollen but healed perfect and wouldn't have known I had it! It's abs nothing to worry about and no big deal really!!!

RightInTheKisser · 23/01/2014 13:10

I had one. Was annoying for a few days as there was a scratchy stitch but you'd struggle to find it now 15 months later!

It's worth noting that they cut across into the bum cheek/thigh and not straight along towards your bum. I really didn't notice mine after a week.

TheNumberfaker · 23/01/2014 13:19

Can't find a link that will play it but it's quoted in this Telegraph link

Shellywelly1973 · 23/01/2014 13:23

Honestly don't stress. I tore with my first dc. Was cut with dc2. Nothing with dc 3, 4 or 5.

My bits were fine, obviously healed fine & returned to full working order!

Shellywelly1973 · 23/01/2014 13:23

Honestly don't stress. I tore with my first dc. Was cut with dc2. Nothing with dc 3, 4 or 5.

My bits were fine, obviously healed fine & returned to full working order!

FlossieTreadlight · 23/01/2014 13:28

Cut and big tear here and my fanjo is in full, normal working order. Don't worry.

Grumbliest · 23/01/2014 13:29

I tore but have healed well twice, you might not even tear, listen to the midwife, breath your baby out (well that's what I hoped to do but ds1 had merconium and ds2 falling heart rate..it wasn't to be)

Jemimapuddlemuck · 23/01/2014 13:32

I had one with DC1 (forceps delivery) which took longer than normal to heal, there was some scar tissue that you could feel for about a year but nothing at all now, and I had a second DC last year and it didn't reopen, despite a big headed baby and a rapid birth. So yes your DH is talking nonsense.

learnasyougo · 23/01/2014 13:33

had one for a forceps birth. I was scared of one, too. turns out it was no problem. stitches healed just fine, scar barely noticeable.I've had no problems with it. why does she think an epi scar is any more fragile than c section scar?

stickysausages · 23/01/2014 13:34

Don't listen!

Madasabox · 23/01/2014 13:34

I had one with DC1 and didn't really hurt - stung a bit. I then a couple of years later had a massive baby 3lb heavier than my first totally naturally and didn't tear or have an episiotomy.

plus my girl parts are better than they ever were thanks to much pelvic floor exercising on my part pre and during pregnancy.

so don't worry!

Ilovekittyelise · 23/01/2014 13:38

i had big cut and big tear. both uncomfortable for quite some time afterwards (good few weeks) but its only the tear that has caused any issues.

personally i think its mental to opt for a c section to avoid episiostomy; have you seen a c section scar?! and vaginal tissue expects to be stretched and torn so must be more elastic or whatever!

Cataline · 23/01/2014 13:40

I had to have a large episiotomy during a traumatic and rapid emergency forceps delivery. I had been insistent that I did not want one up until that point but when it became as simple as the only way to get my distressed baby out in time, I acquiesced immediately! At the time, it was fine but in the days afterwards it was absolute agony and I couldn't sit down normally for weeks. I'd agree to it again in an instant though- they don't just do them for fun!

LaundryLegoLunch · 23/01/2014 13:40

I had one and be in no doubt, afterwards it can hurt a lot. For 5 days I couldn't sit down properly. After two weeks I finally felt able to wear jeans. But all of this would be nothing compared with having an emcs.

For my two subsequent births I had small tears and healed very quickly.

Thegreatunslept · 23/01/2014 13:41

I was cut I had said from the beginning of labour to anyone that would listen-please don't let me tear just cut me!
I had said it so much my dp answered yes when doc asked was it ok!
I healed well and quickly and feel no difference down below now.

HahaHarrie · 23/01/2014 13:52

I had one with a forceps birth. Sewed me up better than before. The first week of recovery was a bit uncomfortable, but not unbearable. Use a sports water bottle to douse when you go to the loo.

Hopefully though, you won't need one.

Em1503 · 23/01/2014 14:09

Ok quick (and probably stupid)
question about this but do they give you pain relief or anything before doing it? The thought of tearing or having this done freaks me out because of the pain at the time!

zinher · 23/01/2014 14:27

I also had a question. When do they decide to go for episiotomy as opposed to a tear? In my head an episiotomy would be better because it would be more controlled. If you are having a water birth how do they check if you need an episiotomy or not?
(Sorry for slight thread hijack)

Seeline · 23/01/2014 14:29

I really don't know if a I had any pain relief before they did it. I was using gas and air but that was it. It all happened so quickly, and was in pain anyway, so didn't notice anything else. They gave a local before stitching me up again.

PenguinsDontEatKale · 23/01/2014 14:29

His friend is talking bollocks.

A well healed episotomy, just like a tear, is not prone to opening up. It will have some scar tissue, but most women don't notice it.

I tore (didn't notice) and have had one episiotomy. (EM1503 - they give you local if you don't already have an epidural normally). Both were fine.

Seeline · 23/01/2014 14:30

They certainly use one if you need forceps or ventouse ( as in my case)

PenguinsDontEatKale · 23/01/2014 14:32

Zinher - It is a clinical call. Routine episiotomy has been discredited (think of trying to tear a piece of fabric. Not think of cutting a snip in that bit of fabric, how much easier is it to tear it more now?). It is normally necessary for instrumentals (they need to make extra space for the instruments!) but generally otherwise they would recommend if you seem to be having difficulty with the last little bit and more space would help it happen, as opposed to to avoid a minor tear.

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