Episiotomy vs Tearing ? Or none

Question

Did you tear or have episiotomy with your births ? Or neither? I'm referring to vaginal deliveries, is there anything that helped you avoid this?

Answer

Let a tear happen- if it must. Studies show the healing is better with a natural tear.

Answer

Absolutely let yourself tear rather than have an episiotomy. Also talk to your provider about your feelings about it. A lot of OB/gyn will just do it without telling you, so if you're up front and tell them that you want to be involved in that decision when and if it happens, you could avoid a totally unnecessary cut. Someone else commented this already but you do heal better when you tear naturally and also the doctor may cut you a little and because of the tiny cut, you could have a huge tear, whereas if you tear naturally it will be less severe. I used to be a doula and out of the 6 births or so that I saw, no one has an episiotomy and only one women actually tore.

Sitting on a birth ball and doing nice deep squats will prevent tearing. You could also ask your partner to help you do a perineal massage in the days/week before due date and have your provider use warm compresses or oils during labor to soften and relieve the pressure on your perineum, Google it lol.

Answer

I tore with my 1st child...but did not want to be cut. I've read so much about tearing healing much more naturally and quickly.

I've also heard good things about perineal massaging. (Massaging the area between your bum and vagina with a lubed finger) never tried it but it's supposed to cut back the chance of tearing.

Answer

I had neither but apparently the doc literally had the scissors in hand when I was delivering my first. I was SO close to her cutting me, but I got my baby out before she could do anything. 
During that delivery, I was so embarrassed of passing more than my baby (💩) lol that I wasn't pushing right. If it felt like I was going to poo, I'd stop, which resulted in my baby being "stuck." Finally I was so done with labor that I just pushed like I should've been and out the baby came. Afterwards, my (now)ex told me that she was about to cut. 
My advice, don't be embarrassed of making a mess, seriously!! They see it all the time, it's totally normal. And exercise as much as you can, even if it's just walking. I was highly active with both my pregnancies and now this one, and labor went wayyyy easier.

Answer

Both.

I tore and then had to be cut. Baby's heartrate kept dropping. I had an epidural though and didn't feel either. The healing process wasn't fun but you do what you have to for a healthy baby.

Answer

I started tearing both times with my boys but had to be cut some as well from not tearing enough. The parts that tore healed faster then the cut but the pain felt the same for both.

Answer

Get an epiNo!!! I used one for 2 weeks before my birth and neither tore nor had to be cut! Totally worth it!!!!

Answer

I had to be cut both times with my girls and the healing process is AWFUL!!!

Episiotomy vs Tearing ? Or none

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