https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 13:31:18 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-413127 Sun, 25 Nov 2012 03:27:06 +0000 mrsjyw 413127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Had a similar experience as @turtledoves...</p> <p>Never discussed previously, doc/hospital rarely does them but after two hours of hard pushing, size/stress of baby... he came out after two pushes following the incision. Even though epi.had started wearing off I didn't feel them stitching me up and.was able to skintoskin right away. Anything to.avoid a csect</p> <p>Im 4 days PP taking motrin and TYLENOL3... Def uncomfortable and painful some nights but I think I'm on my way to healing?...</p> <p>I guess the only thing I'm afraid of is sex life postepi... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406868 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:51:57 +0000 photojane 406868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i trust my doctors' decision. my doctors and hospital do everything the can do avoid them, but if they feel it's necessary, then they're welcome to go for it. in the end, i just want a safe delivery and healthy baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406847 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:40:25 +0000 rachiecakes 406847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS was sunny side up and vacuum, so I had one. They thought I was going to need a csection the way he was stuck so I was glad I was able to avoid that by having episiotomy/vacuum.<br /> My OB wouldn't have done it if it wasn't necessary, forceps/vacuum/csection is very rare at my hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406778 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:26:20 +0000 KT326 406778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I honestly have no idea if I had one or not. I'm pretty sure I did since I had to have forceps assistance. All I know is I had a second degree tear. The first week was kind of painful but after that not so much. I only had to take a painkiller once when I got home, the rest of the time ibuprofen was enough. After pushing for three long hours I was willing to do whatever was needed to get him out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406766 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:06:34 +0000 MsConfetti 406766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No way, I'd rather tear than be cut. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406748 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:53:25 +0000 CupQuakeWalk 406748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Loved it.<br /> I needed it...Dr. said there was no way in hell he was coming out without it. As soon as she cut: he came flying out!<br /> My recovery sucked at first; I was addicted to my pain meds and my Tuck's pads:) but that only lasted about 2 weeks (or less). After the 2w mark, I would feel more &amp; more like myself everyday. Now at 5w pp, my stitches have disintegrated and I feel great:)<br /> I didn't talk to my OB about it ahead of time because I didn't think it would be an issue for me (so naive). But if I had I would have told her to cut me rather than let me tear a jagged tear! Those are tougher to stitch up nicely.</p> <p>ETA: with the epi: I felt nothing. I felt the stitches maybe a couple hours after, but I told the nurse &amp; she quickly got me some pain killers. Oh, and f you don't have an epi: they can/will numb you with a local anesthetic when they stitch you up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406740 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:45:55 +0000 autumnlove 406740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Complete fear! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406732 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:34:39 +0000 ladyfingers 406732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't want one. Our hospital does not routinely do them, and neither does our doctor's office. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406708 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:14:14 +0000 MrsRcCar 406708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor and hospital don't generally do them. I tore but not bad at all. I can understand the medical need for one if something is wrong but I wouldn't just to get one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406629 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:45:56 +0000 lovehoneybee 406629@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The hospital I delivered at does not routinely perform them, but I ended up with one, and a 2nd degree tear to boot. Post-delivery was really hazy for me, and I didn't ask enough questions so I don't know exactly why they ended up doing it, but since he did he must have had a damn good reason. I'd been pushing for two hours, my blood pressure and his heart rate both dropped scary low right at the end, he was posterior, and they wanted to get him out ASAP, so I'm guessing those were big contributing factor.</p> <p>ETA: DH told me the OB only cut after he'd spent half an hour massaging my perineum with oil over and over again and letting me labor down. I do not believe he did it willy-nilly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406621 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:38:19 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 406621@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I told my OB i didn't want one.</p> <p>My LO was posterior so I probably should have gotten one.</p> <p>I was emphatic about not getting one and ended up tearing in three directions and had over 30 stitches.</p> <p>Episiotomy &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt; tearing </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406601 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:32:55 +0000 winniebee 406601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Didn't want one, but didn't need one....would have had one to avoid overtearing. I ended up with a small tear. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406595 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:30:36 +0000 Bao 406595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never discussed it until I was pushing and I asked if I needed one and she said she didn't see a reason why I would, but then I ended up having a 3rd degree tear...I didn't mind the tear only because it happened naturally rather than the episiotomy. If I have the option I'll just allow a tear again next time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406591 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:28:29 +0000 T-Mom 406591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>While I was in labor my OB said that I would probably need one, but then she disappeared to deliver another baby, and baby the time she came back, they already had me pushing and I had a tear. I was a little irritated about that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406590 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:28:20 +0000 birdofafeather 406590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>no thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406581 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:25:41 +0000 DillonLion 406581@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hey lookie here, a blog that I read posted about this topic just now:</p> <p><a href="http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2012/11/mind-and-body-after-baby-month-5.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/2012/11/mind-and-body-after-baby-month-5.html</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406579 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:24:47 +0000 tlcbaby 406579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This will be my first baby, but I was listening to an OB on a podcast recently who does not do them unless absolutely necessary. He compared it to a piece of cardboard or thick paper - if you make a cut in it, it would tear much easier. He was basically saying that if you do the episiotomy you would be even more likely to tear. Just his opinion, but it sounded like it made sense? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406554 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:17:04 +0000 chopsuey 406554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I said no episiotomy. Probably would have torn less if I had gotten one though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406541 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:08:26 +0000 jedeve 406541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The nurses in our birth class said that tears heal faster/easier than episiotomies. I plan on trying to avoid one since getting one is a guaranteed cut, whereas waiting to tear is just a chance. Even if it's a high one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406539 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:07:54 +0000 matador84 406539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a very unusual labor and delivery. I had a totally natural birth and barely remember it except for the amount of pain I was in, but even that was forgettable. I went from a 2.5 to a 6 to an 8 to a 10 in less than 2 hours so I had no time to stretch. My OB is not quick to do episiotomies, but I barely even remember getting one. I had 3rd degree tears even with an episiotomy and can't imagine how bad it would have been had I just torn naturally. This is probably TMI but my ass is still bleeding when I have a BM, so I literally cannot imagine how bad it could have been had he not done one. Plus DS was sunny side up! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406524 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:01:29 +0000 runsyellowlites 406524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Totally against unless you are having an already operative delivery like @zippylef. In the case of forceps you are</p> <p>If you are pushing baby out on your own though an episitomy is likely to cause you to tear worse &amp; since you need your pelvic floor muscles to push cutting through it will make pushing less effective. It can also cause lasting damage including incontinence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406508 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:53:51 +0000 Mrsbells 406508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No but it was on my birth plan that I didnt want an episiotomy at all. I'd rather tear </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406506 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:52:38 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 406506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I stated it in my birth plan to NOT have an episiotomy unless it was absolutely necessary. My friend got an episiotomy and STILL tore on top of that... so either way, you may tear. I'd rather do it naturally. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406498 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:49:44 +0000 mrskc 406498@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't want one and stated so in my birth preference list that my doula gave to the nurses at the hospital. They were really nice about sticking with my birth plan. I was going to discuss with my OB but went into labor before I had the chance. I did have a weird nurse afterwards who asked me why I didn't want one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406486 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:45:27 +0000 Weagle 406486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>NO thank you. Unless my options are episiotomy or c-section. Luckily, my OB dislikes them as well. I much prefer to tear naturally. Natural tears tend to be smaller and heal easier. I had a 2nd degree tear, and it wasn't bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406484 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:44:46 +0000 immabeetoo 406484@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB and hospital both said they're only used in cases of emergency. I read somewhere comparing it to ripping paper vs. cutting it - matching up &amp; "healing" aka taping a jagged edge is easier than a clean one. Made sense to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406483 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:44:24 +0000 mrsmenow 406483@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had one with DD #1 and still had a pretty significant tear. But my doctor felt it was necessary to do one to get her out as quickly as possible. I don't look back and have a negative issue with having one, I needed one, got one and survived. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406479 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:41:24 +0000 MamaMoose 406479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a discussion with my OB. I went in thinking an episiotomy would be a cleaner cut and therefore heal faster/better than a tear. But my OB said tears heal much better and all of the doctors in her practice will avoid an epi unless absolutely necessary. I trust her judgement. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406477 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:40:30 +0000 Minnie_Girl 406477@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh, don't even get me started on episiotomies! They DO NOT prevent natural tears, they are a guaranteed laceration and stitches, they often CAUSE the tears they are said to prevent, and at best, they shorten labor by only 5-10 minutes. And yet they're still used routinely. Aaaagh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-arewere-your-thoughts-surrounding-episiotomies#post-406458 Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:33:41 +0000 littlebug 406458@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am terrified at the thought of an episiotomy. We learned in our childbirth class that our hospital will not do one unless you already have a 1st-2nd degree tear and look like you may tear worse. So that makes me feel better. Though like pps have said, I'd take an episiotomy over a cesarean....lesser of 2 evils. </p>