Episiotomy first time, will I tear second time??

[Claireandbump]

Had an episiotomy and forceps delivery with my DD and I'm a little terrified that the skin will rip this time due to it being weakened and stitched already. Did anyone have an episiotomy with their first labour? What happened second time around? Thanks xxx

 

[Mummybexee]

I'm pregnant and had foreceps with epi. I hate to break the bad news but I had a chat with midwife and researched and your more likely to tear next time around because scar tissue doesn't stretch.

I have automatically been referred to consultant as I had a theatre foreceps after my contractions stopped so I do have some questions of this nature for the consultant to answer. I'll prob go back under midwife care but it's just protocol here to refer me to consultant first

 

[Claireandbump]

Thanks Hun, appreciate your reply. I thought as much it is a worry isn't it x

 

[NatEvz]

Hi hun, I had an episiotomy and forcep delivery with my son and I ended up with a 2nd degree tear and labial grazing with my daughter. I would 100% prefer to tear each time. It was nothing like having the epi and I was walking and getting around fine a couple of hours later which I didn't when I had my son

 

[monkeynut]

I had an epiosotomy with my first and tore naturally with my second- the natural tear was much less painful and healed a lot quicker!

 

[Bonfire Bride]

That's good to hear! I also had an epi with my son! Took me weeks to recover

 

[Mummybexee]

Ooo this is music to my ears! I still throb from epi now!!

 

[Jennyxx]

I had an epi and forceps delivery with my 1st son nearly 7 years ago, i then had me second son 2 years later and had no problems at all during delivery. I had my second son in the birthing pool and did not need any stitches etc at all. Hope your labour goes well Im pregnant with my third baby at the moment

Jenny

 

[Claireandbump]

Thanks ladies, your replies are so reassuring x

 

[mrswoody]

I had episiotomy and ventouse with my first and with my second I had no tears just a very small graze.
x

 

[twinkle90]

OMG I'm scare now. I'm pregnant with 2 nd baby and had forceps and epistomy.is the tearing really not that bad? The thought is making my vajayjay go all funny xx

 

[Rooster30]

Sorry to say that I had two tears with my daughter after an episiotomy with my son.

I felt more sore the second time as I had a tear in two places Quickly healed though...

 

[H16]

Seems to be a bit of a mixed bag response then. I had a tear and an epi with daughter and I felt like my bits were a mess for a really long time after birth so praying I don't have anything as bad this time round but won't hold my breath lol x

 

[heatheror12]

I had forceps and epi with my 1st son 17 months ago. My youngest is 2 weeks old. Had a lovely natural labour still had a tear and stitches but can honestly say it's been painless.. I think it's deffo different for everyone. But hope this gives u hope because I was so scared of being in agony again. Xx

 

[Claireandbump]

Thought id report back that I had a great labour and no stitches woohoo!! Hope that gives others reassurance xxx

 

[MysticTeen]

I can't speak for myself as I only have one baby, but my sister in law had an epi with her first and then went on to have five more and never needed stitches.
And even if you tear naturally it is so much easier than healing from an epi. I had almost 3rd degree tears all the way into my back passage and recovery has been really easy. Barely any pain and I have been using the toilet fine.

 

[twinkle90]

Seems to be very mixed. But recovery seems a lot better. It felt ages for me to recover from the epi. I will be asking my midwife now. I do feel kind of reassured that recovery sounds better with a tear xx

 

[kaz1983]

I had epusiotomy first time an havd asked mw if i can request another this time if need be as the thought of tearing gives me the heebie jeebies xx

 

[Baby2sky]

I had epi first time and just minor tear this time. The natural tear was 100% better than the epi, I was up and about an hr after birth and had no pain at all.

 

[Phoenix85]

Have you googled "perineal massage"?

You should

Everything I've read & heard has said that subsequent births usually result in less damage because the skin has stretched before so stretches better making tearing less likely or less severe.

And yes, a tear is a lot better than being cut, it heals better and everything.