***Episiotomy??? how bad is it??***?

[BabyGirlDueJan19th]

im only 28 weeks pregnant but have been thinking about this for a long time...im so scared that i will have to get one and i really dont want one =[ i always read that doing Keagels can reduce the chance of needing one but i never remember to do them. if you dont get an epidural and need an episiotomy or you tear can you feel it? im not sure if i want an epidural but i dont wanna feel my vagina tearing or being cut =[ what was your experience like????

[Gussie]

My epidural didn't work. No joke. I felt the entire labor. It was placed wrong. And I had an episiotomy.

I have this to say to you about this: You will NOT feel it. #1, the doctor usually numbs the area before cutting. #2, birth hurts like hell, so you won't even notice! #3, you will care MORE about the pain of an episiotomy AFTERward when you're healing. That's all I remember. Hurting so bad for about a week... even sitting... trying to have a bowel movement... trying to even urinate... Dang it it hurts. But it only took about 6 days before it no longer hurt like it once did. Sexual intercourse hurt for a very long time, too. Longer than the six week minimum. We ended up waiting twelve.

[ChasExpecting3172010949]

I had an episiotomy with both births so far. I didn't feel either one of them. I guess from the "heat' of the moment. lol

[Alice585]

An epidural increases the chance of needing one because the pushing can be less effective. If you do not have one, there is so much going on down there you won't feel any particular bit more than the other. If you start using evening primrose oil, massage your perineum and get the gel caps, put one or two up inside it will help you stretch. Also when getting closer, try to have lots of good healthy oils in your diet, olive oil on salad, coconut oil, flax seed oil etc. It will help you stretch... It really comes down to your practitioner though, some are snip happy, I would talk to your ahead of time, make it VERY clear that unless baby is in distress and needs out NOW you would rather allow your body to stretch. Also ask that they apply warm wet compresses to your perineum for you to push into. had a 9lbs baby with no tearing or need to be snipped because my midwife talked me through the pushing telling me when to push and pant to make tiny little pushed and when to stop for a second to stretch. I wear a size three and am not big, it still hurt to have sex sometimes if the angle is not just right.

Also... episiotomy's increase tearing.

[seths_hot_mommy]

If it weren't for epidurals I would have killed my husband while I was bearing our child. They work miracles. Also an episiotomy though the concept of it is scary doesn't hurt at all when it is being performed. The healing process hurts but it is only really like the soreness after rough or repeated sex.

[The_Sage_Mother480]

Episiotomies can easily be avoided--If you don't have a epidural and have an episiotomy you will get a local anesthetic so you cannot feel it. The only nessesary time where you NEED a episiotomy is when you have forceps of ventouse...WHICH in the first place can be easily be prevented by many things which include.....

# Follow an active birth--http://bellybelly.com.au/articles/birth/active-birth

# Follow Optimal Fetal Positioning to prevent your baby getting into a posterior position which is a big cause for the use of forceps or ventouse-
http://bellybelly.com.au/articles/pregnancy/optimal-fetal-positioning

# Do NOT lie on your back during pushing as this makes the opening of your pelvis much smaller and can easily get your baby "stuck" which then leads to forceps of ventouse. Be upright and let gravity help you during pushing. This has been known to make the pushing phase faster, less perineal trauma and less trauma to your baby. Being upright significantly opens up your pelvis to allow your baby to pass through, did you know that squatting during pushing will open your pelvis by a huge 30%.

# Wait for the urge to bear down unless you've had an epidural. Waiting for the instinctive urge to bear down rather than being directed to push is far better. http://bellybelly.com.au/articles/birth/bearing-down-or-pushing

****EFFECTS OF EPISIOTOMY***

--Effects on the mother

ADVANTAGES:
    
1. An episiotomy may speed up labour by removing the need to wait for tissues and skin to stretch during second stage.

2. An episiotomy may be preferable to an uncontrolled tear if the birth is fast or the tissues are very tight.

DISADVANTAGES:
    
1. An episiotomy done before the perineal area has fully stretched will involve cutting much tissue and a significant blood loss as a consequence.

2. Episiotomies frequently tear further, causing a bigger wound. If extensive, this tearing can involve the anus and make extensive surgical repair necessary. Involvement of the anal sphincter can lead to weakness and problems with incontinence.

3. An episiotomy takes longer to heal and is more painful than a tear, as muscle tissue is involved in an episiotomy. Tears usually involve only skin and superficial tissue, and therefore heal faster.

4. Healing can take months for some women. Sexual difficulties and general pain and discomfort may be felt until healing is complete. Further repair work may be necessary.

5. Having a sore perineum and stitches that require care can interfere with the ability to take care of a baby in the first days post-partum.

--Effects on the baby

ADVANTAGES:
    
1. Shortens second stage

2. Prevents undue pressure on the head of a premature baby.

DISADVANTAGES:
    
1. A sore and tender perineum can make it more difficult for the mother to care for the baby after the birth.

YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO TELL THEM YOU DO NOT WANT ONE- Make sure you have support people that can speak up during labour and also that it is written on your birth plan which should be on your file and also a copy out for your support people during labour as you will not be able to hold a conversation during the heat of labour.

Do you research and knowledge about birth. Know in what situations things need to be done and how to prevent othe rinterventions done.

You never HAVE to get anything done to you--this can range from vaginal exams to being induced.
It?s very important to ALWAYS remember that when you are in a hospital, no-one HAS TO DO ANYTHING! All treatment is by consent and patient choice ONLY. Policy is not law and procedure being done against your will is grounds to sue. Doctors / midwives need YOUR permission to do anything to your body. If they arent convinced there is a good reason for a procedure then decline it.

While there will be times when obstetric intervention is necessary, there is a little acronym you can remember to get a better idea if the intervention you are being offered is warranted:

B.R.A.N.

What are the B*ENEFITS? (of this being done)
What are the *RISKS? (of this being done)
Are there A*LTERNATIVES? (than this being done)
Does it need to be done *NOW?

*** Opps, I also forgot to add that if you do just naturally tear you do not notice it if you have not had an epidural and most of the time women will have to ask their midwife if they have torn. I have had two births where both times i tore-First time i needed about 6 stitches and second time i just had a small graze and tear with no stitches needed; both times i did not notice or feel myself tearing and both births where completely drug-free and i loved them =D