Pregnancy Forum - Episiotomy Versus Tearing?


Episiotomy Versus Tearing?

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AyaMiyaki

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Episiotomy Versus Tearing? Posted: 06-14-06 16:00pm


I'm putting together my birthing plan and was looking for some advice. There is an option on the plan where the doctor will not perform an episiotomy unless it's absolutely necessary, if that's what I want. But I know a lot of women choose to have one just in case they tear, since tearing can sometimes be so much worse than being cut. My question is: did you tear with your vaginal birth, or were you given an episiotomy? (or did you do it without an episiotomy and ended up not tearing at all?) or, if you haven't given birth yet/before, what is your view on it? What would you opt for? I really need your opinions and advice, ladies! Thanks in advance.

~rubmybuddahbelly~

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Posted: 06-14-06 16:06pm


I ended up having to get an emergency c-sec. But I told my doctor that I would rather tear on my own then get cut down there. She even told me that tearing naturallty heals better and if they cut you its more likely you'll tear wth that and it would be worst if you were to have torn on your own.

Eyes Wide Shut

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Posted: 06-14-06 16:09pm


I rezuested that I tear on my own. The .Dr said, while I was crowning, "i'm going to have to do an episiotomy", in mid push I told her "no, just let me tear" she obeyed my wishes and I pused her head out before the doctor could even cut me. I then pushed her shoulders out and she informed me that they didn't have to do an episiotomy and that I had torn to the 2nd degree. They normally cut you to the 3rd degree, to ensure that they're is enough room and they don't have to re cut. I had my baby drug free and that's why I chose to tear rather than being cut. Granted my baby was only 6 1/2 lbs. Her head was 13cm around. The chance of infection is waaaay less if you tear on your own. There are recent studies that have proven this. Now, if the doctor inform you that you're about to rip in the upward direction towards your clitoris, than an episiotomy would be in your best interest. This would occur mainly in births where the head is delivered face up as opposed to face down. Good luck on your delievery and I hope you make the desicion that you're most comfortable with!!! Sarah

AyaMiyaki

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Posted: 06-14-06 16:16pm


I feel a little less anxious now. I was really hoping to avoid the episiotomy if I could help it, but then the paranoia set in... I guess i'm just really paranoid about tearing all the way to my anus. shudder thanks, ladies :) I feel better now. <3

jessesgirl

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Posted: 06-14-06 16:20pm


I'm very interested in this. I weighed 9 lbs. At birth, so the doctor thinks that my baby will be about 9 lbs. Especially since I gained more that I should at this point. I don't know what to do either.

~rubmybuddahbelly~

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Posted: 06-14-06 16:22pm


Jess dont belive ur doc. I was 7.1 when I was born and my babys father was 9 even and our son was 8.9. They thought he was only going to be about 7.8. They were wrong.. Lol

AyaMiyaki

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Posted: 06-14-06 16:26pm


I was a 6-pound baby, and my husband was a 6-pound baby. We're both still slim as adults, so i'm praying that .Alyvia will be a 6-pounder too. Maybe i'll ask my husband to start talking to her... "please don't tear your mommy open!" lol

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Posted: 06-14-06 21:31pm


I was cut with one kids and I tore a little with my last kid but it was a little tare no stiches nothing with him but with my daughter I had 2 stiches.. I did have pain meds with both kids my first one was a c-section do to him being feet first.. Mary 24w5dw#4 boy

matthieusmom

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Posted: 06-14-06 22:08pm


Well I didn't tear at all or have any pain medicine with my son, he weighed six pounds and eight ounces. Good luck with your pregnancy.

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Posted: 06-15-06 01:08am


First baby, born at 36 weeks, 3.1 kilos (6.82 pounds) epidural, no tears, no stitches. Second baby born 23 minutes past midnight of her due date 3.7 kilos (8.14 pounds)no epidural, no tears, no stitches. I was 6 ish pounds, my husband was nearly 10 pounds- he was a third baby though, I was a first. Definately go tear rather than cut- i've done extensive research, and everything I read, or was told was all for tear. A tear is less painful because the skin is as stretched as it can be before you'll tear- once you've stretched out the area, the nerves are almost completely desensitised, you'll just feel a bit of a burning sensation while the baby crowns- usually, they'll have to tell you whether you've torn or not- you wont know. A cut they'll have to do before you are completely stretched out- you'll probably feel it-although maybe they can numb you if there's time. A tear will also heal better, and quicker, due to the uneven edges- a straight cut has two smooth edges, and takes longer to fuse together, so theres also a higher risk of infections. A small tear might not need stitches. A cut will. You need to make sure you take your time delivering your babies head- that is the key. Let things stretch, take a few minutes, catch your breath before giving that final push. Everyone will be very excited about seeing the head crown, but just you take your time. My poor mother needed stitches with all three of us kids. My youngest sister was more than 9 pounds, and was not in a good birthing position- they told my mum to push anyways, even though she was feeling like she shouldn't yet. She had 27 stitches, 18 internal, 9 external. She is still bitter about being made to feel like she should ignore her own body, and just do what she was told. You can refuse an episiotomy. They can't force you, unless they need to get the baby out with forceps or vacuum (in that situation-go vacuum over forceps- if they say forseps, ask for vacuum first) it's good to have a loose plan, but birth has a way of not co-operating (my waters broke unexpectedly at 36 weeks. Labour didn't start, so I had to be induced, so I needed the epidural- never saw that comming, choises unexpedetly being taken completely out of my hands) what you need, rather than a bith plan, is information about your options-should you be in a position to make choices. Don't obsess over it, it's going to be one of those things that you just have to take as it comes. In the end- who cares whether they had to pull the baby out through your ear, as long as the two of you are ok.;)