What hurts more, an episiotomy or a tear?

Question

I have always wondered which one hurts more! I am 29wks and have seen them both on Discovery Health(special delivery & birth day). Thanks for answering!

Answer 1

Yikes...I'm guessing an episiotomy! I had a tear which was painful but im sure an episiotomy is worse. I watch an episiotomy on tv and i almost thew up.

Answer 2

the episiotomy hurt me. afterwards.. but it only hut for like 3-4 days

Answer 3

You're unlikely to actually feel much of either at the time they are happening.

Afterwards, a tear is much more difficult to control or repair and can take longer to heal than a controlled incision.

A tear, once it starts, can go on and on and right around to your r****m (bottom).  An episiotomy won't.

Answer 4

im not sure, i got ripped and i didnt really feel it, but im pretty sure you can feel scissors...

Answer 5

i would say they are both around the same

sometimes the dr gives you a episiotomy  and its not needed

Answer 6

I imagine both can hurt quite a bit, but the thing is not everyone tears, and there are ways to try to prevent or lessen tearing. You can research different birthing positions or relaxation techniques or just look up "ways to prevent tearing during birth" on Yahoo and learn quite a bit. My midwife brags about how little if any her patients tear so there's really no way I'm going to have myself cut when it's possible to have an intact perineum! Yeah I still might end up with a 4th degree tear, who knows? But I'm gonna try what I can to prevent it.

Answer 7

At the time that either is happening, you'll likely not even notice because you are already in an incredible amount of pain.  However, an episiotomy can sometimes cause a woman to tear more easily than she may have before having one.  Also, a natural tear heals faster and easier.  I specifically requested that I not have an episiotomy, and I was healed by my 6 week appointment.

Answer 8

i think both but at least when your cut its a straight line when you tear it can be in different spots and it hurts when they find teats hear there and everywhere  

Answer 9

a tear is worse. I have had five kids and I have had tears and I have had episiotomy's  But you don't even notice that stuff until after the fact. during labor and delivery you don't have time to think about it but the joy of giving life to a beautiful baby is worth it all .  

Answer 10

tearing hurts more because its not controlled

Answer 11

both!! unless you tear almost all the way too your butt hole! I think that would be pretty painful!! tell your dr you wouldn't like to have either one happen to you and he/she can help you try different pushing positions! stress it!! I did with my second and didn't have either!! I had a great experience. Now with my first I was cut and OMG hurt sooooo bad!! good luck with everything!!  :)

Answer 12

I had a third degree tear with my first child and I never felt it during birth or afterwards.  With my second baby I had a first degree tear, and never felt it either.

I have heard a ton of mothers say that their episotomy wounds hurt terribly for weeks.

If you decide against episotomy, please tell your doctor.  Put it in your birth plan and tell him again in the delivery room.

Answer 13

I would rather tear then have an episiotomy any day. It is the natural way that the skin tears so it will only tear as much as it needs to (sometimes its A LOT) but it makes it easier for stitching and healing.  

Answer 14

A tear. By far.

That's why they do episiotomies, to reduce the risk of a tear.  Plus an episiotomy has a lower chance of extending down into the rectal tissue than a tear.

And with an episiotomy they numb you with an injection before they do it so you don't feel a thing. It is tender in the days afterwards but not as much as a tear.

Answer 15

Im going to ask my dr to just let me tear but help try to prevent it also Ive saw on D-Health chanel it's say that a natural tear tends to heal better now as for the pain Im not  sure because Ive never had one!lol at least not yet! haha

Answer 16

Do you mean when it's happening or after the fact?

I've had both occur. To be blunt, after all the other birthing pains I didn't even notice it.

They felt about the same after delivery.

Answer 17

I never had an episiotomy, but had 4th degree tearing with my son.  Apparently it heals quicker if its a tear.  

Answer 18

A tear for sure!!  I had an episiotomy with my first 2 children my 3rd, I had an awesome doctor who "stretched" me and I did not tear or have to have an episiotomy which was wonderful, but I know people who have torn and it has created a lot of scar tissue which can make s*x and even childbirth in the future more painful.

Answer 19

I took childbirth classes earlier this month and learned that while a tear hurts, an episiotomy can be worse because it can make it easier for you to tear more.