Repeat episiotomy

[MrsTrue]

Hi all,

Anyone had a two episiotomies?

Following my first one, I have a loss if sensation around my scar, not a massive issue tbh and only noticed when I had an internal scan for baby #2, but bow scared I may need another for baby #2 and lose more sensation.

Anyone had 2 episiotomies? Were they both on the same side? Any problems afterwards?

No answers for your OP but interested to know others’ experiences. How long since your first? My episiotomy scar was definitely noticeable for the first year at least, but it doesn’t bother me so much now. Would prefer not to be snipped again this time though!

Hi, I haven't had two episiotomies, just the one but didn't want to read and run as I had the same concerns while pregnant the second time. I had an episiotomy with my first which took a vey long time to heal, numbness and some pains. With my second I had a fully natural labour, no episiotomy and no tears. Just to reassure you that having had one, doesn't mean you'll automatically need another.

Thanks both, it's been 20 months since my DDs birth, so mostly healed but don't feel back to myself 100% yet. Honestly I'm not sure I ever will.

Really don't want another episiotomy as I feel I've had enough trauma down there already, but keen to know what other people have experienced to inform my next birth.

I have! Second episiotomy was much better than the first - healed quicker, and more neatly, feels much more like my ‘old’ vagina pre DC

I had an episiotomy which then tore first time. No episiotomy and a tiny tear in a different place second time. Second baby was smaller than the first despite measuring as big as.

I've had 2
I won't lie it's not pretty down there!
I'm 4m pp now and have a prolapse
But the healing second time round was a lot faster and I knew what to expect which was helpful

I was also very worried about this during my second pregnancy having had a lot of problems with healing/ scar the first time. I talked it through with the midwife at one appointment and she suggested I make a note on my birth plan about my worries as well as telling the midwife when I was in labour. The midwife I had in labour was so good. She explained how she could try to protect the scar tissue. Small tear with baby 2 and much better healing- no problems like last time. If you have an appointment where you talk about your birth plan, I'd recommend talking about your concerns.

Ummm I can’t say I ever looked down there- I’d imagine it’s a bit of a mess. I have had 3 assisted deliveries and one required 3 cuts without anaesthetic (2 attempts with ventouse to deliver shoulder dystocia baby) and the other two were massive babies via forceps. So yes several episiotomies. No infections, no huge issues. I do have a small rectocele (prolapse of back wall of vagina) but that only became symptomatic around 10 years after the last baby… and doesn’t really impact much- good sex life, never any urinary incontinence etc.

Hope this helps.

Thanks all, that's a huge help!

@flightless55 - did you have any prolapse symptoms after your first, or was it purely after your second birth?

I ask because have mild prolapse already a d struggle when constipated or after lifting heavy things, don't want to make it worse. 😞

@MrsTrue no symptoms after 1st even though that was also a 3rd degree as well as episiotomy
2nd birth was only a 1st degree plus episiotomy

Suffering severe constipation now (5-10days between) and struggling

It's not a bad prolapse I don't think - though my first appointment with pelvic floor specialist is this Wednesday so I guess I'll find out

I have. For both births. Didn’t have any problems. And they are now old enough that it’s all but a distant memory.

I've had a horrendous one with DS, took months to heal, had a tiny one with DD but had no pain at all after it didn't even feel like I pushed out a 9lb6.5 baby out, so I do think my initial one did cause lack of feeling down there 🙈

@flightless55 - hopefully you recover quickly, a women's physio massively helped me so hopefully it does for you too!

I also had a 3rd degree tear with my first and once proper control returned I also had terrible constipation. I think it's the constipation that caused my prolapse symptoms tbh as it did seem to coincide. It's improved so much now, but the thought of doing it all again is just awful and I'm really worried even more damage will be harder to recover from.