Hi everyone,

I sustained a bad tear after a forceps delivery (episiotomy related) with my first child. I healed perfectly well and am going for vaginal again this time.

My hospital does routine episiotomies on women like me that tore to a 3rd or 4th degree and I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on this?

As far as I am aware the likelihood of me tearing to 4th again especially without an assisted delivery is very small. I may not tear at all.

I'm not happy about talk of cutting me in case I tear and would have a 'wait and see' approach to it.

I'm going to get the 'area' ready with lots of massage - I'm lucky I have no residual issues whatsoever and the scar itself is smooth, not painful and mostly absorbed as opposed to raised and thick.

I'm just interested to hear what you think?

Thanks