Not to scare anyone...

[lorinewmum]

I've just come across some articles about episiotomies (surgical cut in the muscular area between the vj and the anus (perineum) to enlarge your vaginal opening) and now trying to find ways of preventing/reducing this. Has any of you ladies been through this procedure and looking back, do you think there could have been exercises you could have done to prevent this procedure (or does this only happen if the baby is large and thus unavoidable)?

[Mrscofmn]

If you have a midwife try Lavender oil with perineum massage.  Worked wonders with second no tearing like my first and he was 2.5 pounds bigger than my first.  :-)

[erin_loren]

I had an episiotomy after pushing for over an hour. My son was tiny, I don't know why he wouldn't come out. Lol. I was so worn out I didn't care- "Just get this kid out of me!!!" Lol
It really wasn't bad at all. I had an epidural so I didn't feel pain and if my doctor didn't ask me before she did it I really wouldn't have known. The healing process was nothing.  
All I can think of that would have made a diffrence would have been if I would have maybe taken birthing classes or if I did kegals? Really, in the end it was not a big deal to me so if I could go back I'd do everything the same. Lol
Quite a few people say that going natural prevents tearing or episiotomies... but I also read on here from women who had natural births say that they still had them. So idk.

[mommytobeofirishtwins]

Even though it sounds like a terrible painful thing, its not that bad. Your whole entire area will be so sore and you won't be able to identify exactly which spot its coming from. Good luck and hopefully you won't have to have one :)

[Coloradomama3]

I tore badly with my first vaginal birth. It was not fun at all! I had an episiotomy with my second and my recovery was so much easier! I think it just depends on you and the size of your baby's head.

[LaurenC86]

I was pushing for two hours with my first when the doc finally decided to give me an episiotomy, and she came right out, he actually had to tell me to quit pushing bc she came out so fast. I was like "You couldn't have done that two hours ago?!?!" Lol... I didn't feel it but I had an epidural and the healing from it isn't bad at all. I'm definitely glad I had mine and if I had torn then that would have been much worse so definitely don't let the though of one scare you bc actually it's a relief if anything. Good luck!!

[ashley3smith7]

I've had it with 2 vaginal deliveries, and my youngest I didn't need one. I think it's pretty much a crap shoot- and depending how big baby's head is, how well you push, and how fast baby comes. Take classes on how to push. I guess I was pushing incorrectly, and didn't realize until my second. Much easier! Lol

[kns0622]

Look up perenial massage. This is along with kegels and other pelvic floor type exercises should prevent tearing or the need for an episiotomy