tearing

KatetheGreat79

Is there every a time when it would be better to be cut rather than tear? I feel like I've heard some people say a doctor can tell if you are going to tear extremely badly, and sometimes making a small cut will prevent this. I have a very natural birth friendly doctor, so my guess is he will not be over eager to make a cut. Just wondering if it's every just best to give in and let them cut you. 

sschwege

I am by no means an expert on this topic, but my understanding is that it's better to tear.  I've heard people compare it to trying to tear a sheet of paper in half.  If you hold a sheet of paper on either side and try to tear it in half, it'

tokenhoser

A small cut usually leads to a larger tear, not a smaller one.

Episiotomies generally accompany a vacuum or forceps delivery.  They are used very occasionally when the baby is in distress and the doctor feels they need to get the birth over

oliversmommy32912

The only time I would consent to an episiotomy is if it could prevent me from tearing up towards my urethra and clitoris or if the baby needed to come out quickly for a medical reason.

mrshall10210

I am going for a natural birth in a hospital, and I was surprised to learn in their childbirth class that their doctors no longer perform routine episiotomies, rarely perform them if necessary, and that they have some younger (read: recent grads) docto

luvmyducks

My OB is a fan of not doing anything just bc he can. He doesn't cut unless there is an emergency and the baby needs out asap.

aylafsu88

tokenhoser:

They are also used occasionally if you start to tear "up" to the urethra rather than "down" to the anus - a down t

huntjul

oliversmommy32912:

The only time I would consent to an episiotomy is if it could prevent me from tearing up towards my urethra

Amgant

Your body is ment to stretch to allow baby. You, and your doc, need to be patient. I was able to have a 10 lb 10 oz baby without stitches. As far as emergency I had an episiotomy with my first because they were worried that she had swallowed machonium.