Tearing vs. episiotomy..your experience?

[MissBroody]

I had an epi with DS1 and a 2nd degree tear with DS2. The epi took more recovery time, was swollen and painful to sit for a good week and going to the toilet - both ways - was extremely uncomfortable. I could say the same about the tear but it didn't seem to last as long. I think a lot of it is down to how it's stitched back up though!
xx

 

[candeur]

I found my tear the second time around a lot better than the episiotomy I had with my first. I healed better and was just generally less sore

 

[Warby]

All righty, with my first born I had a second degree tear that healed fine on its own. With my second, I ended up with a fourth degree tear. That was quite unpleasant- tore right through anus. Yuck. Cleaning up after bowel movements took a while, it was quite sore for a while, wasn't comfortable having sex again for over six months, and I had the embarrassing experience of going for an anal ultrasound. But I did heal perfectly ( some women need reconstructive surgery!), and it was determined that I could deliver again vaginally with subsequent babies. With my third, I was nervous about having another major tear; I did not want to tear the same area again! My doc said he would do an episiotomy if needed and since my son came so fast I did get one. I didn't know he had done the epis until after childbirth. I'm now pregnant with my fourth and the plan again is episiotomy if my doc thinks I will need it. He angled the cut so it went towards my leg instead of down my perineum.

So, the second degree tear healed easiest, then episiotomy, then fourth degree. Unfortunately, you don't know in advance if you'll tear or how much.

Don't mean to scare you. Fourth degree tears are very rare.

 

[Housewife83]

I had both a tear and a cut. They healed the same and I didn't notice any difference in the pain.

What I will never know of course is how bad the tear might of been if I hadn't had the cut.

 

[SnowGal]

My doctor asked me in the middle of pushing which I wanted (it was clear my LO wasnt going to fit!) I looked at her and said "you are the freeking gynocologist do what you think is best!" She said there were pros and cons to both but in my case she went with a small episiotomy, and then I tore anyway. I think the scariest part was the retractors they used while stitching me up!

 

[verona]

I had an episiotomy with my son and it healed fine, no difficulties at all xx

 

[josephine3]

What are retractors SnowGal?

 

[jenniferttc1]

If its nothing major tear naturally, it will heal much better. I was so afraid of being cut and still fear it for future pregnancies. I tore and has a small graze/first degree tear and it healed fine

 

[sammy10kids]

ive never tornm or had an episiotomy so must just be lucky! x

 

[5ara]

I had a 2nd degree tear - I pushed for about an hour, and he kept crowning and then retreating. I finally was so impatient to have him out that I just gave a huge push and he tore out of me. My point is - if they tell you to quit pushing and let the head ease out slowly, LISTEN TO THEM! I could've saved myself some pain.
My healing wasn't all that bad, though it took a few weeks to stop hurting. Couldn't even think of sex for at least 6 weeks. Totally back to normal now.

 

[Cin]

I had a 3rd degree tear. The worst part for me was when they were prodding it at the hospital trying to gauge the severity of it, that stang sooo much! I couldn't feel it up until that point and wondered why the midwives were making such a fuss, probably because I was still on such a high from giving birth It was a bit achey down there for about 3 days afterwards but apart from that I didn't really notice it. The stitches dissolved within about 2 weeks. Went back to the hospital for a checkup a few days ago and they said everything has healed fine. Haven't had sex yet so we'll have to wait and see how that goes..

 

[embojet]

I had a 3rd degree tear. The worst part for me was when they were prodding it at the hospital trying to gauge the severity of it, that stang sooo much! I couldn't feel it up until that point and wondered why the midwives were making such a fuss, probably because I was still on such a high from giving birth It was a bit achey down there for about 3 days afterwards but apart from that I didn't really notice it. The stitches dissolved within about 2 weeks. Went back to the hospital for a checkup a few days ago and they said everything has healed fine. Haven't had sex yet so we'll have to wait and see how that goes..

I also had a 3rd degree tear and completely agree with this. Sex 6 weeks after was fine

 

[sequeena]

I had labial tears and a second degree tear. I would hate an episiotomy. It hurt whilst healing but my skin tore of course it hurt. My friend had an episiotomy and to this day she cannot wear thongs. A bit trivial maybe but she says it's very uncomfortable whereas I have no problems down there. I healed and that was it.

 

[Dahlia2007]

If you tear though (a small tear), don't they have to stitch you up anyways, or do they leave it alone?

 

[Bay]

I had lots of first degree tears and required stitching with my son. I didn't even know i tore, it just stang down there when he came out (like a bad chinese burn). The stitching hurt more than the birth/tearing, but gas helped alot.

Recovery for me wasn't bad at all, but it did take about 8 weeks to feel normal again. Things felt tight down there for a while and i had to take care to sit down carefully but it wasn't painful.

 

[Bevziibubble]

I had an episiotomy. Well, I had two actually because they stitched me back up and then I couldn't get the placenta out, so I had to be cut and stitched a second time! Ouch! It was very painful for a few weeks after the birth but soon healed after that. x

 

[Seity]

They don't do episiotomies at my hospital. They've realized that you're better off healing from a tear if one happens. I had a second degree tear because my baby came out all in one push. I was fine by the end of the week.

 

[presley1]

My son was 9 pounds and I only had a MINOR tear! I'm glad I didn't go with the episiotomy. I hope you have an easy delivery, too!!

 

[dragonhawk]

Honestly, I chose to tear, and I'm pleased that I did. However I did have nasty 3rd degree tearing and they were contemplating taking me to the operating theatre and giving me a general, just to sew me up. (Having been through the whole labour and birthing process on G&A, I was determined they wouldn't do that!)

DS shredded much of the area in his wake, however I'm pleased that they didn't cut and I was simply left to my own devices. The only issue I had was the amount of time they discussed afterwards what degree the tearing was, meanwhile I should have been selling tickets for viewing that particular area, due to teh number of doctors and surgeons coming to have a look! Needless to say, it was a quiet night on the Labour Ward, and I got what I wanted.

 

[aaronsmom]

according to everything i have read, tearing is preferential. I personally had a tear and it was only a 1st degree tear. it apparently depends on the doctor and the hospital practice. you might want to ask your doctor.