Let's talk labor..

Chelsea💜 • Baby number One & Super excited!! September 23rd!!!
So I personally want to go all natural. I'm not against medicine, this is my first pregnancy and I just want to feel and experience it all. Where I'm stuck though is whether I want an episiotomy or not.. what do you ladies think. Past experiences? I've tried to read just about everything I could and I've gotten mixed emotions about it.
407 views • 2 upvotes • 12 comments

COMMENT (12)

Me

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There are many factors that contribute to tearing, but if you are calm and relaxed and give yourself time to dilate fully before pushing, then you will be able to ease the baby out slowly and most likely you won't tear. Most tearing happens if you're induced and the whole process is rushed, when pushing is rushed, or with an epidural because it doesn't allow you to feel how hard you need to push. I've read so many stories of very small women delivering 10 and 11 lb babies with no tearing, all because they took their time and believed they could do it! Most hospitals don't do routine episiotomies anymore because they can actually cause you to tear further and take longer to heal than a natural tear. Hope that helps!

Ad

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I wanted to do natural with me son untill i went into labor that changed really quick. But the epidural was amazing. I could enjoy the whole thing i was making jokes with the nurses and could really enjoy my baby after.

✩M

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This is my first baby so I obviously have no basis for comparison, but I personally don't want one. I'd rather naturally tear than be cut. A few of my friends who had them said it was so painful afterwards that they'd wish they would've just torn. Plus just the general research I've done on it makes me think it's not for me.

Ho

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My childbirth class instructor said that women tend to heal better from a natural tear than from an episiotomy. She said because of this they are usually only done if medically necessary

Je

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I went semi natural. No epidural but did have IV staydol for the pain and pressure of labor progressing fast and the piggy backing contractions. I did her an episiotomy only because he was coming out so quick the tearing would have been worse...And yes I know that to be true with having my mom being my nurse.

ja

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Nope! They shouldn't even offer it as routine. It's outdated.

As

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I had a third degree tear because I delivered by forcep. Honestly. I wouldn't ask to be cut. There's no guarantee you'll need it. And if you do, it may not be in the right place etc. you're making more healing for yourself that way imo. 

Je

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I don't know if you get a choice :/ maybe I'm wrong, but if they need to cut you they will. Otherwise you'll tear.

LP

LP • Jun 21, 2016
I just read an article how a lot of hospitals are no longer proactively cutting as it leads to higher risk of infection and longer healing time and doesn't prove to be that beneficial. Of course they will if the baby appears stuck but other than that I would say let your body take charge.

Je

Jessica • Jun 21, 2016
And I'm on my third baby.. Been cut once and they sure didn't ask first lol

Je

Jessica • Jun 21, 2016
i guys i would rather be cut than torn!