Tearing naturally Vs Episiotomy

[xsadiex]

I'm just doing my birth plan for my homebirth waterbirth!

I've written that I'd prefer to tear naturally and my friend who is studying medicine said it was better to have an episiotomy as it will be guided and a cleaner cut. She said there was more risk of tearing the perinium if you don't have episiotomy.

Now I'm confused what to do?

 

[Fruitmash]

I'm curious about the same thing, but I did hear that it's not uncommon for you to tear after the episiotomy. And that tears heal quicker?? I dunno if it's true though

 

[stardust599]

Natural all the way! Episiotomy increases the risk of a 4th degree/severe tear!

 

[NaturalMomma]

There are many studies that say Episiotomies are worse to heal and can cause problems in future births. A natural tear is much better and no woman should get an Episiotomy unless medically needed. It is pretty scary that people who are studying medicine believe in these debunked practices and that is not evidence based care.

 

[chuck]

Thing is you may not tear at all so why cut just in case?

 

[Mervs Mum]

Episiotomies are rare these days and even rarer at home. Tearing at home is statistically less likely and if you do you are less likely to actaully need stiches. Cutting to prevent a tear is like pushing someone down the stairs because they might fall....

Tears heal better than episiotomies mainly because they are less likely to need stitching. Stitches are a foreign object and increase chances of infections. Straight edges do not heal and knit together as well.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Episiotomies are rare these days and even rarer at home. Tearing at home is statistically less likely and if you do you are less likely to actaully need stiches. Cutting to prevent a tear is like pushing someone down the stairs because they might fall....

Tears heal better than episiotomies mainly because they are less likely to need stitching. Stitches are a foreign object and increase chances of infections. Straight edges do not heal and knit together as well.

 

[moomin_troll]

ive had a epis n it was fine but id never have one just on the off chance id tear. with my second i had him at home, the pushing stage was a rush cuz soon as i needed to push his head was crowning so i tried to keep him in as mw wasnt there.

i had an internal 2nd degree tear and a small on on the outside but not on the perinium and i perfer that anyday

 

[xsadiex]

Okay thanks for the information! I'll stick to the original plan then, I have no idea - never done this before so confusing! My doctor friend scared me.

 

[moomin_troll]

its scary how after uve had a baby u realise how little doctors really no about giving birth and then the "care" we get during labour can be shocking! i was treated like crap when i had my first, the mw did a epis when there was no need.
with my second the mw tried to take over and i ignored her and the doctor who did my stitches was terrible but that time the mw holding my hand was telling the doctor off so atleast she was nice lol

good luck

 

[NuKe]

even the thought of being cut freaks me out. i tore first time, quite badly, but it didnt change my mind!

 

[moomin_troll]

i will say the thought of being cut is far worse then it actualy happening. annistetic or how ever its spelt, im tired lol doesnt work on me so i felt it happen with zane....OH didnt believe me till i told him what she did lol

 

[chuck]

My mum clearly remembers being cut the Dr didnt tell her they were doing it and she yelled at hIm WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!! Bless her.


I think the view that an Epis is better than a tear maybe common place in the medical community because its something they can control and and is easier to stitch so seems to them the better option.

Thing is we're kind made to stretch and tear so surely it's better to let it happen if it's going to?

 

[moomin_troll]

im crossing my legs reading this now hahaha

 

[chuck]

LOL thing is once you get to crowning etc if you need to be cut its going to happen its kind of one of those things you cant worry too much about.

I know I was scared of instruments with DS1 and didnt want them...I had a EMCS and wished I'd had instruments!

After having had a CS I was willing to tear up down in and out to have a VBAC...I was lucky and didnt need a single stitch.

 

[heaven]

They cut me last time a half inch, which is into the perenium anyway. They did it "just in case I would tear", BUT I had a 4lb 10oz baby. I probably wouldn't have tore anyway. I do believe that they sewed me up even smaller-which I'm not complaining about though

If there is an emergency and they are absolutely going to though-maybe put in your plan to only be cut down. Sometimes they cut down and sideways! Eeeeeek!

 

[JenStar1976]

I know every scenario is different, but I tore very badly with my home water birth. I had done all the massage in advance as I was petrified of tearing and it made no difference to me. My tear was very jagged and [TMI] one of my labia split in two as well (it looks like I have three labia now!!). I was in a lot of pain for 4 weeks after the birth. This for me was worse than the pain of actually giving birth. If I ever have another baby, I would opt for an episiotomy. But, as I say, this is just my honest story, really not intending to do any scaremongering. x

 

[chuck]

I though most epis were cut at an angle to minimise risks of damage by accidental cutting or further tearing of the cut to the anus

 

[ljo1984]

My epi with Imogen was to the side. It took about 6-8 weeks to heel because the stitches opened! Was so painful and it's something I've mentioned in my plan that I want to avoid if possible, and I want to attempt hypnobirthing technique of breathing baby out too.

The mw's will only do it if totally necessary so don't listen to your friend, drs (some not all) think on a totally different level, I'm a nurse so obviously work with them lol. Xx

Eta just noticed you live in Leeds too! Xx

 

[ljo1984]

Oh mention to add about the cutting down business, they did this to my friend in an emergency situation and they damaged her back passage in doing so! Shes had alot of problems since including incontinence and is under specialists!! So personally if I had to have another epi I'd be making sure they went to the side! She sent a complaint in after all this and they apologised and said it shouldnt have been done this way and the dr got s bollocking over it.