Second birth after episiotomy first time round?

[Clarab0w]

I had an episiotomy with my first 18 months ago, and am starting to think about the birth of my second in a few months' time. Just wondering whether the scar tissue means I'm more likely to tear or need cutting again (since I guess it doesn't stretch as well as normal tissue?), or whether everything will be pre-stretched from the first baby anyway?

I know there are no guarantees and TBH the epi wasn't that bad anyway, but just curious about what other peeps had experienced.

Also wondering if perineal massage might help...?

I had an episiotomy with dc1 and when I had dc2 the scar tore, I think I needed 3 stitches or something, the midwife says if it was a natural tear they would have just left it to heal but because it was the old scar they stitched it to help it heal.

I tore on the scar with dc2 and had to have stitches. Tore again with dc3 but refused stitches and let it heal naturally.

I was the same as your first reply. The tear second time round was much smaller than the episiotomy (which in addition tore/ extended) first time around. Didn't do any massage or anything, and child two was slightly heavier than child one, both with big heads.

I tore with my first DD, but was fine with DD2 & DD3

I had an episiotomy with DC1 and no tear with DC2; I remember being very happy when the midwife said there was "only a graze"

Second degree tear with dc2 (another ventouse, like dc1), along the scar I think, was stitched, healed fine. First degree tear with dc3 (and a very precipitate second stage!), no stitches.

I had an episiotomy with dd1 (2nd deg) and in preparation for my 2nd I tried olive oil massage a couple of times a week for a few weeks before birth...I wanto holding out much hope as I was a bit inconsistent! But luckily a small natural tear with 2nd, barely noticeable and no stitches needed. I think maybe knowing what to do with the pushing part helped 2nd time xx