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December 2010 Moms
Chick7806
member
Episiotomies?
Chick7806
member
I've been researching this topic and I'm wondering what my Dec. mamas' thoughts are?
2nd/3rd timers feel free to chime in. I don't really know what my preferences are here, but I also haven't talked it over with my doctor or thought about it very much.... Thoughts and opinions?
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Re: Episiotomies?
I plan on talking to my Dr. about this but I don't want one unless it's absolutely necessary. If it seems like there will be a slight tear, I'd rather that. But if it looks like it's going to be something nasty I would rather get cut so it will be a cleaner heal.
It's almost like a shirt. It doesn't tear to easy on its own but once you put a little cut into it, it's much easier for it rip.
strange as it is to say, I feel like my doctor knows more about my bits and pieces than I do. if she thinks its best to cut I suppose I'm gonna let her cut? obviously I'd rather not, but the prospect of tearing doesn't sound super awesome, either. I'm just crossing my fingers I've got a crazy elastic, stretchy vag. that's my game plan.
I will say my friends cousin's doctor was gonna do an episiotomy but her cousin said she didn't want one and she tore.. um.. from point A to point B.
I'm aware this can happen even with the cut, but OMG YIKES I hope it doesn't happen to me.
Yeah- the tearing from point A to point B happened to a friend of mine who delivered last week. It sounded so awful.
( But I don't really know all of the benefits/drawbacks. It's definitely on my list to ask my Doc next week.
Time to break out the Pam, right??
)
yeah I probably should be a mature adult and speak with my doctor about it ahead of time, but honestly I doubt I will unless she brings it up and even then.. I just don't have an opinion on it. I've talked to all of my friends who've had kids about it.. some had the cut, some didn't but it seems like they all tore to an extent and had some major healing to do down there. I only have one friend who didn't tear and she didn't tear with either of her kids! I am definitely not an expert on the subject but it seems from talking to them that if it reaches that point it sucks pretty hard either way..
This is completely unrelated to this post, but I'm in nursing school and when we were practicing putting foley catheters in, we would use a can of Pam on the manicans to make them more slippery. It made me laugh when I read your remark.
I would really prefer a tear over an episiotomy. It seems more natural to me. If there were some reason I needed one- like she's stuck and I'm not tearing to make room for her- then I'd deal with it, but I really don't want one.
Like a lot of other mammas said, either way, you need stitches and have a "healing time".
Episiotomies are not recommended unless a baby is actually stuck, these days. My doctor said that they are not encouraged because they make tearing worse. He said they will only do one in a last ditch attempt to avoid using vacuums or a c-section if the baby is having trouble making it through that last little bit. In general, though, they don't do them and they never do one to minimize tearing because they know it doesn't.
Also, episiotimies cut through the muscle while tears often don't, so they are harder to heal from.
I'm going to request no episiotomy. Not that tearing sounds appealing either. I'm going to do all I can to avoid both.
From what I have read, upright positions during labor (standing, walking, kneeling, and squatting) help reduce the risk of tears because the babies head can fully engage the perineum. Also, perineal massage before and during labor can help the perineum to stretch.
Here is an article on perineal massage, if anyone is interested:https://www.babycenter.com/404_how-can-i-avoid-an-episiotomy_1955.bc
This is what I'm thinking...
I'm not planning on an episiotomy, and I'd like to avoid one if at all possible. I trust my doctor, but I haven't talked to her yet about what her preference is...I'm hoping it's natural tear.
After 3 hours of pushing the midwife said "if I give you a little cut the baby will come right out", so I told her to go for it. Apparantly the cord was around DD's neck and her arm was wrapped up next to her head making it hard for her to come out naturally. While the episiotomy was getting stiched up the midwife found that I had also torn a little. Recovery wasn't that bad at all, I couldn't even tell that I had stiches.
Obviously the preference is to not tear at all - but I am all for an episiotomy if it helps control the tearing.
With DD I had a small episiotomy 3 stitches in total, (2 out and 1 internal) -they healed totally fine. I'd also mention that I was given the option at the time, and never felt I had to have it - but trusted my Dr to know what was best for both me and the baby.
I had a friend who flat out refused one only to tear from front to back (4th degree) - not something I'd risk if a little cut will help direct away from the essential bits.
My OB says she rarely does them. She says she will give me the option of tearing verses a cut. It's up to me, unless baby's safety is at stake.Then she can cut what she wants to get it out safely, IMO.
Yikes! I feel for ya! I've had that done too and the pain was excrutiating...the worst part for me is they sent me home with no pain pills. After the local wore off I was in tears. I am dreading tearing and/or being cut.