HypnoBirthing® UK

[jasmintan]

I'd like opinions from mums who have given birth.

My mum, who was a former nurse, told me that it's ok to have a small episiotomy and not to be afraid of it.

The reason is because she said the doctors will give a little extra stitch to tighten the vagina after delivery. Otherwise, it may be a little "loose". She said not all women will have a "loose" vagina after delivery, but why tempt fate?

What do you guys think?

[TracyD]

Hi Jasmin

Episiotomies used to be very routine (and still are in some places) luckily research has caught up with this procedure and it's now only recommended in very rare cases. The Journal of American Medicine published a great paper on this earlier this year and confirmed that an episiotomy causes more harm than good. It's far better to tear than to have a surgical cut.

If you imagine taking up a piece of material and trying to pull it apart - it's not easy. Then take a scissors and make a tiny 'snip' in the top...and see how easily the material rips - even without much effort from you.

Homebirth midwives rarely do episiotomies. Ask your caregiver what percentage of his mums end up with episiotomies - then see how you feel about his answer.

Best,

Tracy

[Danielle]

If you tear during a first birth are you more likely to tear during a second birth?


Also a mum I'm teaching is having twins is she more likely to tear, as 'she will be stretched a lot twice in a short space of time' (her words). During her previous 2 pregnancies she didn't tear.

If anyone could answer any of these it would be great!
Thanks

[Danielle Brostoff]

For anyone wishing to have an episitomy free delivery I would suggest they do perineal massage using almond oil. An detailed explanation can be found on pages 22-23 of the Birth Partner by Penny Simkin. The massages should be started between four to six weeks before the due date. This type of massage can reduce the need for an episiotomy and reduces the risk of tearing.

Hope this helps

Danielle

[MrsR]

I used perineal massage using almond oil before giving birth to my son in water. He had a large head and I didn't tear, just a small graze which needed nothing. I'm not 'loose' now. With my daughter I had an episiotomy, where I presume they over stitched me or something and this made sex sometimes painful for years after. It only corrected itself after giving birth to my son!

I certainly won't allow them to give me an episiotomy this time!

[Kieren]

If you tear during a first birth are you more likely to tear during a second birth?

In my experience it depends on the time between births and size of the episiotomy scar. I have helped many women who have had old scars which have not torn again, mainly because second time around the vaginal outlet stretches far easier. Women who have had previous deep episiotomies do tend to tear in the same place as the healing often leaves a 'weak spot'.

As far as twins are concerned - the first baby is usually the biggest (this is because the larger baby is likely to position itself in the pelvis with the use of gravity far easier), this means the second baby will be born through an already stretched vaginal outlet so would not increase the risk of tearing compared to any singleton birth

I have only ever done 2 episiotomies in my career so far, these have only been part of medical emergencies, should not be done routinely for the reasons stated by TraceyD