Who has had an episiotomy?

Question

I'm almost 9 weeks pregnant with my first and I'm dreading that possibility more than anything! I REALLY don't want to be cut down there but don't want to tear either. Is the incision really painful or uncomfortable afterward? Do you forget pretty quickly that you have it? Or can you always tell it's there for weeks after?

Answer 1

The answer to your question is yes and no!! You won't feel the episiotomy when the doctor makes the cut because your body provides natural anesthesia (and you might also have an epidural). You will however have stitches which will be uncomfortable and more so for the first 24 hours. You will, however, forget all of this discomfort when you are watching your child sleep, smile, eat, cry, etc. Good luck and congratulations!

Answer 2

I had one. When they did it they gave a general anesthetic. I was already in so much pain, I did not really notice if there was anymore. lol. It did hurt a while after, but I think it would have been much worse if i had torn. It would be jagged and who knows how long (i've heard horror stories) and could have taken even more stitches to close it. So far, that has been my only child, so possibly it did not take much longer to recover than if I did not have one at all. The first day was the worst. I was up and walking around the next day( although, very carefully. lol). I am 11 weeks pregnant with my second, and if they think I need another one, I do not have a problem with it. The alternative scares me more that the episiotomy.  

Answer 3

I had one and they numbed the area before they cut and i didnt feel a thing (and it had to be done because my baby was getting stressed, not to mention i was pushing for an hour and a half and was buggered) it wasnt too sore afterwards, the only time it was a problem was at about 5 weeks it was itchy (there was no infection, was just healing) and that drove me insane. But now, 13 weeks later its like i never had it. I forgot pretty quickly.Its obviously alot better than getting c-section. It wasnt that bad at all and all worth it because within the next couple of pushes my baby boy was born.

Answer 4

Once you cut a sheet it tears much easier. A lot of damage can come from them. Midwives are much less likely to give you one, so maybe look into that option.  

Answer 5

I had one. I was seriously dreading it too!! It wasn't as bad as I thought it was. They will numb you before they cut if they know they have to do one. But if you tear I don't think they numb the area. It wasn't so much painful as I was just definitely more aware of the area than I ever had been before!  

Answer 6

Okay - I am not going to tell you that no one in the world has soreness after, because som do, but let me put it to you this way.

There are a lot of Pros to having an episiotomy: for example, it is easier for your provider to repair- which means less scarring, less chance for post partum pain, quicker healing time, etc..

The truth is most people, NOT all, do not notice the episiotomy during delivery because there is so much pressure and numbness already occuring, and once the baby is out, a tremendous amount of relief.  That said, when they repair it - you can ask for local anesthesia (Hello- I would) That was once the discomfort is lessened you will only feel a very mild tugging (like stiches in your finger)  

Sometimes an episiotomy is only an inch or two - which is less space to heal than if you end up with a serious tear (a 4th degree is basically from the bottom of your v****a to your r****m - not to scare you but its true and I have seen it)  Plus your doctor will have any easier time stiching up a straight line vs a possible zig zag one.  I know they sound awful- but they can be a lot of good!

Also - keep in mind, not everyone needs one.  But if you do, your best bet is to keep it clean and dry after you leave the hospital so you heal quicker.

Best of luck with your delivery- Im sure you will do great!!

Answer 7

Actually, most doctors don't perform episiotomies anymore. They've found that the "tear" heals better when it's caused naturally than when it's cut. The reason for this is, there are 4 degrees of tears. The first is small and only affects the skin, the second goes further back, the 3rd rips the muscle, and the 4th is just godawful.... Anyway, how will a doctor know how badly it would tear on its own? If they cut (episiotomy), they're going to cut through skin and muscle, everything. It takes longer to heal after giving birth, but you're not going to be having s*x for at LEAST 6 weeks anyway.

My friend called it "the ring of fire" (when the baby's head crowns). She tore naturally and they gave her a bag of saline on an IV post and put a beadpan in the toilet. They told her to let the saline run over her cut and soak in the bed pan. It helps it heal quicker & cleaner. They also say you should have your hubby rub olive oil on the area for a few weeks beforehand so the skin is more "stretchy".

Answer 8

Check out 'Epi-No'...

No need to start worrying about labour yet, you have a while to get used to the idea. At the end of the day you will just be relieved that bubba is out and healthy. You do heal... and its all worth it.

Answer 9

if you get an episiotomy you'll always know you've had it.  usually it takes a few weeks to heal like maybe 7 or 8. If you don't want it to hurt the whole time your healing you need to do pelvic floor exercises.  You don't feel during labor cause your not really worrying about that more than getting the baby out cause he or she will be crowing at that time. Hope that helps and good luck.

Answer 10

If you get an epidural, you won't even feel it.

I've had two. The first time I was cut a little bit to help with the birth but then my son tore my cervix so I had to be cut even more and sewn inside. I was literally stitched from hole to hole. (Sry if TMI) It was bad.

With my second son, I was cut a little bit. He weighed only 3 lbs 10 oz (8 weeks premature). He was early because my first son tore my cervix which in turn I ended up with an "incompetent cervix". Recovery was easy though. Much faster & less hurtful than my first. (after the meds wore off). I was up & walking around literally 2 hours after i gave birth to him. I didn't walk until the next day with my first.

Of course its going to be sore for the first week or so. You'll get some pain meds to help with the discomfort and take your sitz baths. I couldn't use the epifoam (numbing foam) the hospital gives you--it made me raw and sore.

Don't be scared. Not everyone tears but if it happens it happens.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Answer 11

i had one with my first and it was so much easier and more comfortable then tearing.. i tore with my second and healing seemed to take forever compared to cutting......i didnt feel my doctor cut me they give a local anesthesia first and besides your in labor and to excited/scared i wouldnt worry to much about it......if it helps talk to your doctor and see what he recommends