Episiotomy vs. Tears

[Annabelle17]

I am 19 weeks pregnant and seriously stressing over whether or not I should get an episiotomy. I am extremely worried that I will feel it horribly when they cut. I am going to do the massage to try to minimize the need for an episiotomy or for a tear. Please help. What should I do? Which one hurts worse and will I feel them when they happen?

[30something13]

Ok now think of this get a peice of paper and tear it, then get a piece of paper and cut it some then tear it. It is easier to tear the cut paper! THe litomy position is horrible for tears as the baby is not using gravity to come out. It has to come up and around your tail bone to come out. You know on your babck scrunched forward. I know that the baby should come up and down several times so it streches you and evening primrose oil or any oil is good to strech you as is a warm towel for the ring of fire if you have one. I also know that if the count to 10 and have you push during contractions it not only depreives the bay and you of oxygen but you are more likely to tear. Your body will puch when it is ready and that may be a few contractions after you are fully dialted or not. So when you are 10cm with no lip left you let your body push and not you at all. Then when the head is coming down right ther and ready you pant your way through it and then when your contraction peak you give a little push to g tthe head out if needed. Believe me with 3 natural brirths it is best even if you really want the baby out now. You can push way to long an wear out of you push too soon and you are doing the work. I am sure you hav heard lots of woman say "I can't do it anymore". So just let nature take its course and if you get an epdurial you need to have them turn it off at 7 cm to let it wear off then when you can really feel and are ready push the baby out slowly. You will strech and when the baby is out the pian is gone! Lots of dr's cut no matter waht and are impatient! Now if your little one come to soon then just let it happen, it is better to tear if you only push at the peak of a contractiona nd not the whole time! My second came out so fast and I never pushed her at all!!! I tore and could use one stich and let them give me one. THen when I picked up my 13 month old I tore it out. It was owrse getting stiched! I do know that some dr's will put glue on you instead of stiches if it is minor and hat is the way to go. Hope this helps!

[Annabelle17]

I am not getting an epidural. lol.

[armybratOK]

I didn't have to have the episiotamy, and the Dr. was really surprised (i'm small) and the only reason I tore with my DD is because she came out with her hands on her face. I had no idea whatsoever that I tore, and if you have an epidural early enough, you won't even feel them cut. I would speak to your Dr. about your fears and see what they have to say.

[Annabelle17]

My mom got numbed both times she gave birth but I know a lot of people that haven't gotten numbed. They had their babies to quick for them to numb them. It's not so much the actual cutting that scares me, it's being able to feel it that really scares me.

[angelamary]

Every woman that I have talked to that has gone through labour has not noticed that part of birth. I am sure that there are some different stories, but I understand that it gets numbed beforehand. I'm not entirely sure as this is the first time around for me, but they tell me that they have not felt it at that time.

[ALT76]

As far as I know, they will only do an episiotomy if they feel it is necessary, and many, many women do not tear at all without an episiotomy.  I didn't think it was something they did on request or on a whim, I think they do it when necessary.