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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Episiotomy

15 replies

caaamummy · 27/12/2021 16:36

Hello, i had an episiotomy with my first born four years ago. I'm currently 25 weeks pregnant and petrified I'll need another one? Has anyone had one with first child and not needed one with the second?

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OVO1410 · 27/12/2021 20:11

I had an episiotomy with my first as he got stuck and needed an assisted delivery. My second came very quickly without assistance but I did tear. The repair afterwards was much faster and more straightforward with the episiotomy, I would say the healing time/pain/etc was the same with both x

ancientgran · 27/12/2021 20:15

I had one with first, it was awful and at my six week check up my GP said, "Did the person who stitched you have a personal grudge because they've made a right mess."

I was petrified of it happening again, had a home birth and GP swore to me he'd do anything to avoid an episiotomy but unfortunately I needed one. He knew how scared I was of being stitched. I sweat he used so much local I had totally numb for hours and hours. It was honestly much better than the first time and I think alot is down to the midwife/doctor.

Good luck.

evamumm · 27/12/2021 20:18

I had one with my first, tore with my second and then nothing with the third. I think there's a good chance you won't need one again and it all depends on the speed of Labour, position of yourself and the baby etc

MarmaladeToastAndAMarmaladeCat · 27/12/2021 20:18

I had one with my first as he was not coming out after a lot of pushing and needed forceps. Second birth was very straightforward, no interventions, out in a few pushes with just a small tear, no episiotomy (and he was a significantly bigger baby too) so don’t worry, second births are nearly always easier.

minipie · 27/12/2021 20:19

I had one with my first (got stuck) and tore with my second (very fast birth). Healing was luckily very straightforward with both.

Fellrunner85 · 27/12/2021 20:20

Me! Episiotomy with my first, tore with my second. Healing was similar.

Notwithittoday · 27/12/2021 20:21

Yes. Had a huge one with my first but not my second. Just a tiny graze

DramaAlpaca · 27/12/2021 20:21

Like a pp, I had an episiotomy with my first, tore with my second (which took longer to heal than the episiotomy) and not even a graze with my third. The difference with the third was that I was in an upright position when delivering him.

Philandbill · 27/12/2021 20:22

Me, took months to heal. Was also terrified about needing one for second birth. Chose a home birth to limit needless interference and didn't even need stitches despite DD being a complex presentation. I'm not saying birth at home - it isn't for everyone- but do a bit of research on positions for birth and labour, you can reduce the likelihood. Good luck and I hope both you and baby have a happy birth day.

SquareTo · 27/12/2021 20:22

I had an episiotomy with my first. It was a very slow, painful recovery! Both births were pretty similar other than gestational age which definitely played a big part in my OB’s decision (distressed preemie) to do an episiotomy the first time round…both babies in distress when I started pushing, ventouse delivery. However I just had a 2nd degree tear second time round. It was apparently deep as it did somewhat follow the line of the episiotomy and the labial tear stung like fuck when I did a wee to start off with, but it healed significantly faster and was way, way less painful. Good luck and hopefully you can also avoid a second one.

CovIneedanamechange · 27/12/2021 20:22

Yep episiotomy with first followed by tear wigh second (2nd was 11lb 7oz though) healed much faster from the tear

SorenLorensonsInvisibleFriend · 27/12/2021 20:27

Episiotomy with my first and second. When it came to the second (who was also a big baby, over 9lbs again), the midwife remarked, "well, my stitching has to be excellent as it was so perfect from the first time, I don't want to spoil their work!"

BakewellGin1 · 27/12/2021 20:28

I had a 3rd degree tear DS1 and episiotomy and tear into rectum with DS2.
Both were forceps delivery but DS2 had three failed ventouse efforts before coming out on third forceps attempt.
Consultant told me if I had a third I wouldn't be allowed to deliver and would be planned section.

Friend however popped her 2nd DC out easily after having episiotomy with first.

Original poster

caaamummy · 27/12/2021 20:30

Thank you for all the replies, now I'm scared to tear aswell hahah😂😂 jokes aside, I wouldn't mind a home birth, how would I go around having one? Is that something I discuss with the midwife? With the first it didn't take me long to heal at all, i was back to my usual self 10 days after, I was just adamant I never wanted it, but due to pushing for hours and being in labour for 26 hours I was so tired. Every time I had a contraction I pushed his head out then sucked him back in 😂 guessing that's why I got it due to him being distressed, his heart rate started to drop, Bathing was the hardest, does it sting as much with a tear? Don't even start me with the weeing! I've never felt pain like it! I'll he fully prepared with the next! Getting the spray bottles out ready

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Velvetbee · 27/12/2021 20:31

Had one with my first, had a section for my second, water birth for my third and a small tear for the fourth.

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