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Yes. I had a hellacious 3rd degree mediolateral episiotomy It was because my LO was so crooked and needed an internal manual version and a vacuum assist. My OB said the natural tearing the vacuum would cause would be worse than the episiotomy, so I agreed to it.

I did not but my hospital is very interesting. They give you a check list for a birth plan and I remember their being an item about this and the checks where 1. do the episiotomy if you feel it's needed. 2. please consult me or my birth partner before preforming the episiotomy.

Of course we checked 2!

I did. But my experience wasn't too bad considering. The dr numbed everything so I didn't feel the cutting/stitching. The stitches were uncomfortable and I could feel "something" down there for about a week at home. I kept using the peri bottle and Earth Mama Angel Baby bottom spray every time I peed. The stitches healed fine and I have no residual issues.

You know, I thought I just tore because my doctor never mentioned anything and they told me before that episiotomies are rare for them, BUT my mom *swears* she saw the doctor snip me!?

So in any case, if it happened, I felt nothing while pushing.

But it was also my biggest fear going into pregnancy--turned out not to be too big of a deal for me.

I didn't have one, and I didn't tear. My baby had a super pointy head when he came out lol.

No, but my OB did threaten me with one if I didn't push DS out with the next contraction. You can bet all your money in the world I pushed with every thing I had to get him out!!!

Weird thing is, it was only my 3rd set of pushes! What the heck! Guess it made for a quick delivery. less than 5 minutes!

@MapleMoose: haha, honestly, I had no idea I tore until I was at my 6 week checkup and she was all "looks like the tear has healed nicely" and I was all "What tear? I got an episiotomy!" and then she explained that despite that, I still tore!

Nope, but I did have a small tear with some stitches from that. Not a big deal in terms of healing.

I did not have one. I tore to pieces naturally instead. I don't even remember if one was offered/considered. I have no regrets though!

I opted to tear. I requested with our OB/nurses to NOT get one unless unavoidable. I had 2nd degree internal/external tears but managed to not get one. I think I remember someone making a passive/aggressive comment about it but whatever I pushed for five hours.

@Smurfette: We're twins! Mine was also a second degree tear! Though I'm actually not sure how big my episiotomy was.

@hellobeeboston: my 5 hour pushing twin!!!!!!!!! Same situation. Crazy, right? I am hoping future babies will come out more quickly!

My OB almost never does episiotomies, but I ended up needing one. It really wasn't bad and my recovery was actually very easy!

ETA I did perineal massage religiously leading up to labor, but still ended up needing one

@kjpugs: omg! Another 5-hr pusher! Haha... Omg I SO hope the next one comes out faster! They have to, right?!?

For those of you who do NOT want an episiotomy, I suggest you let your SO or doula know to watch for one and speak up.

I can't tell you how many times I've seen a doc reaching for the scissors after just one or two pushes when mom's birth plan made it clear that she didn't want one without her expressed consent or in an emergency.

I say "Mama, the doctor is about to perform an episiotomy. Do you consent to that?" and then mama can say yes or no. If she doesn't know, she can't give consent.

Edit: Obviously not all docs practice this way (without informed consent) but because some do, I feel like I have to put that PSA out there.

No, although my OB said I tore in exactly the same spot he would have cut with an episiotomy. And I'm pretty sure he spent more time stitching than I spent pushing!

@Mrs. Champagne: I had a vacuum, which is why I had an episiotomy. I was super terrified that they were doing it, because I didn't know that it came with the territory of a vacuum birth. I will say, though, that for me, it was (ETA) better than the alternative of further injuring my hips. They did as small of an incision as possible, and it helped me get baby out. She had a small head, though, so I'm sure that helped. I'm 8 weeks PP now, and while I can still feel it, it could have been a LOT worse!

Yes and I did tear as well. I didn't feel it at the time because I had an epidural nor did I feel the stitches. In the couple of weeks after birth, it was very painful and uncomfortable but I've healed so well since then that I can barely remember it.

ETA: My midwife asked if she could do it and stated that she could count on one hand the amount of women she has performed one on. In my case, my son's HR was decelerating whenever I was not pushing and it was getting too dangerous.

I don't really know what happened, but yes I had an episiotomy, terrible 3/4th degree tears after my first birth. Truthfully, no one asked me if I wanted one or not, and theoretically, if I had it in my birth plan saying I didn't want one, I don't think it even would have mattered. In the end it's not a big deal, I have some scarring there and that's about it. Didn't affect me for child 2.
ETA: I had a natural birth, they just gave me a shot to numb the pain...I still felt it.

@kjpugs: @hellobeeboston: I pushed for almost 5 hours too. Super sucked. I hope I can sneeze the next one out if we have another!

@Mrs. Champagne: I never knew which was which because I was too scared to look! I still tore even with the episiotomy, so I'm not really sure what good it did.