Giving birth after an episotomy?

[chocolate]

Hi, are there any mums out there who have given birth after previously having had an episotomy?

I had one with DS, and he is 2yrs 3 months and its only been since pregnancy that sex is enjoyable again and it isnt sore along the scar line anymore. Im putting this down to more blood flow down there as it feels a lot puffier etc.

Anyway - Im slightly worried about if the episotomy scar line will be sore, or rip in labour or not be as stretchy as needed.

Anyone experienced this?

 

[wantingno.2]

I've asked this a few times too, i found alot of people actually said they didnt need another or even tear. I'm really worried about it too .... i had one due to having a forceps delivery which i'm also worried about too. Will look forward to any replies you get x

 

[sarafused]

I had one with my first baby too. Im also wondering if they need to do it again if they would do it along the same scar line.

 

[hayley x]

I had one with my son, and 10 months later had my daughter and that birth was perfect, no tears or cuts just a graze, I was worried too though xxx

 

[DivaSatanica]

I had one with my daughter and went on to have my son with no problems.

 

[chocolate]

That's re-assuring to here.

I guess if I need another Id prefer them to do it in the same place - Id rather not have 2 sore scar lines to deal with.

I suppose the worry is that before this pregnancy, and after the episotomy it just felt a bit tighter down there, but I think that was due to not warming up before sex lol

 

[Linds79]

I had one with my daughter, then when I had my son 23 months later I did get a 2nd degree tear, but then he was 10lbs and delivered in a back to back position! So I don't know if it was anything to do with previous scar tissue. I'm kind of worried about it third time round too because i have a fair bit of scarring down there now!

 

[chocolate]

I had one with my daughter, then when I had my son 23 months later I did get a 2nd degree tear, but then he was 10lbs and delivered in a back to back position! So I don't know if it was anything to do with previous scar tissue. I'm kind of worried about it third time round too because i have a fair bit of scarring down there now!

Did you feel the scar tissue like pulling at all during birth? This is what worries me, that I will feel it wanting to rip!
Hopefully your done now for tears/cuts!

 

[Linds79]

I had one with my daughter, then when I had my son 23 months later I did get a 2nd degree tear, but then he was 10lbs and delivered in a back to back position! So I don't know if it was anything to do with previous scar tissue. I'm kind of worried about it third time round too because i have a fair bit of scarring down there now!

Did you feel the scar tissue like pulling at all during birth? This is what worries me, that I will feel it wanting to rip!
Hopefully your done now for tears/cuts!

No - to be honest it all just hurts like hell at that stage so I couldn't specifically feel the scar pulling!! Fingers crossed I've had my quota of rips and tears - I'm just praying for a nice 7 or 8 pounder that wont cause me any trouble, but looking at the size of me it's seeming unlikely!

 

[chocolate]

I had one with my daughter, then when I had my son 23 months later I did get a 2nd degree tear, but then he was 10lbs and delivered in a back to back position! So I don't know if it was anything to do with previous scar tissue. I'm kind of worried about it third time round too because i have a fair bit of scarring down there now!

Did you feel the scar tissue like pulling at all during birth? This is what worries me, that I will feel it wanting to rip!
Hopefully your done now for tears/cuts!

No - to be honest it all just hurts like hell at that stage so I couldn't specifically feel the scar pulling!! Fingers crossed I've had my quota of rips and tears - I'm just praying for a nice 7 or 8 pounder that wont cause me any trouble, but looking at the size of me it's seeming unlikely!

Thats what I was thinking, it will all feel stretched anyway so shouldnt notice - DS was 6 pounds 8 and head circumference was just under average, but still needed an episotomy, so dread to think what will happen if this one is bigger, but people say sometimes its a little easier as gravity helps.

 

[hayley x]

2nd babies are generally 'easier' my labour was a LOT faster 2nd time, just 40 mins x

 

[Mrs Liamxxs]

i didnt have an episiotimy (if thats how its spelt lol) but i did end up with a 4th degree tear, second time round i didnt tear again, although it was a little bit more sensative, but MW says its makes skin stretch that little bit easier xx

 

[chocolate]

God I hope its quicker this time! At least with your first you dont really know what to expect, but now I do and it makes me slightly nervous lol

 

[MumOfPlenty]

You don't really have anything to worry about at all, second time round everything has stretched kinda past the point of no return

I had a episiotomy with my first, wacking great big scars and awful stitches and everything.. My second, he scratched me on the way out with his fingernails, my third, minor scratches again and then a mild tear with my fourth..

I honestly do think that after a previous birth, episiotomy or no, your body finds it much easier to accommodate that (seemingly) massive head coming down and out through your lady bits

HTH, I think it tends to be first timers who get an episiotomy anyway due to it all being so tight down there. Never again though

 

[Hoping]

I had an episiotomy too, and had a painful lump of scar tissue. I ended up having to get it removed under general anasthetic before we considered having another as I could not let hubby near me! So I am really nervous this time too having had the original cut and then further surgery.

 

[scorpiodragon]

Glad I am not the only one who was very sensitive even after over a year of recovery... I had a back to back forcep 1st birth, regardless of how this one goes (which of course I am hoping very quickly and smooth), I am also worried about tearing again either along the same scar or creating others... It is reassuring to hear that some of you have had a different and easier experience the next time around! Thanks!

 

[sarafused]

You don't really have anything to worry about at all, second time round everything has stretched kinda past the point of no return

I had a episiotomy with my first, wacking great big scars and awful stitches and everything.. My second, he scratched me on the way out with his fingernails, my third, minor scratches again and then a mild tear with my fourth..

I honestly do think that after a previous birth, episiotomy or no, your body finds it much easier to accommodate that (seemingly) massive head coming down and out through your lady bits

HTH, I think it tends to be first timers who get an episiotomy anyway due to it all being so tight down there. Never again though

Thats good to know thanks!

Honestly the stitches were the worst part of my birth, they were so painful and I found it really painful to walk for a couple of weeks.

 

[MumOfPlenty]

Honestly the stitches were the worst part of my birth, they were so painful and I found it really painful to walk for a couple of weeks.

They're horrible aren't they - I feel for you..
With my first (and the only stitches I've had) after 2 days the midwife had to physically cut them for me as I literally couldn't move because of the mess they made with them. She cut them, and they never did dissolve - I had to pull them out myself after 2 weeks
I think they made a right mess down there, glad it's not my area of expertise, so far as I'm concerned, if I can't see it, it doesn't matter anymore

 

[babyskeer2]

See this is something that didnt really worry me first time round, I was all if I tear I tear... However the tears wear terrible and things have never been quite the same since

I went for a review at the hospital on wednesday to see if I could book on the birth centre as last time fell though when bambino decided she wasnt coming out and I had to be induced and then 'pph'!

They think I lost more blood from the tearing last time than an actual heamorraghe and he said there is only a 1-2% chance this will happen again, Kinda reasurring but dont know if this is the same with an epiostomy?

Good luck girlies

Excuse the spelling lol

 

[SaskySprite]

I've been really worried about this but my consultant assured me that 2nd time you are way stretchier and most woman dont need one with their second births.........i hope she's right.