I've read a lot of the birth stories and I've noticed a lot of people have 3rd degree tears and such....does everyone tear? Does it bother a lot afterwards? (like when you go home are you in agonizing pain?)
We're going to TTC soon and I'm scared of the whole birthing process as it is and when I found out about the tearing I got even more nervous!
TIA and congrats to all the new moms!
Re: Tearing Question....
The recovery was hard though. I was really sore for a good week or two. Walking, getting up out of a chair or bed, was really hard for a while. Going to the bathroom took a lot longer becuase there are just more steps involved (go, use the squirt bottle, which is heaven, blot dry with tp, reaply the salve (sp), spray and a tucks pad, get to a standing position and pull up pants).
This time aroudn I am going to ask not to be cut. If anything (besides what I've heard/read) I would like to see the difference. They say tearing is better for an easier recovery. I will try to use perineal massage and hot washclothes to stretch the area out. We'll see what happens...
Good luck with TTC!
They did an episitomy on me instead of tearing - I had asked my doctor a few weeks ahead of time to let me tear instead of cut me but she said tears were dangerous and a controlled cut was better. Not sure I believe her but I asked that they do perinium message and whatnot to help prevent tearing or a cut....buy when they were doing the message, it hurt SO bad I asked them to stop. She asked me if she could do an episitomy and I said yes - at that point, you just don't care. I will say that it was the worst part of my recovery - took about 2 weeks before I felt a little more normal down there. The first poster really hit it on the head with the going to the bathroom thing - that pretty much sucks.
I would love to not get cut this time around but I know when it comes down to the heat of the moment, I won't care what they do and will deal with the consequences after.
Try not to stress too much about delivery - it really isn't that bad. I did it without an epidural and plan to go all natural again.
i had 4th degree tearing & an episiotomy....it was hell for the first 2 days but literally it healed SO fast. Yes, the bathroom process was involved, but I was taking DS for walks around the neighborhood by the time he was 5 days old.
The body is an amazing thing and it heals much quicker than you'd think.
Also, keep in mind that if you have an episiotomy, you're likely to tear along that scar in a next birth. Doctors don't like to think ahead in that way, or to encourage women to think that way, but it's true.
My first was 6 lbs 12 oz and I had an episiotomy that took 2 stitches
My second was 8 lbs 3 oz and I didn't tear at all, or need the episiotomy.
When my son was born he was 9lbs 2oz, I only had a minor tear that did not require stitches. I'm sure it depends on your body adjusts, when I get pregnant again I plan on telling them no episiotomy