Tearing along episiotomy scar

[Honeybee]

Eeek - I'm not even pg yet (or even TTC), but I do worry about this occasionally. I had an epi, and then tore right into my bottom. I had thought that the scar would be a weak point, so good to know that it won't necessarily tear that way if I'm lucky enough to have another baby.

Oh Trillian - you poor thing!

Best of luck OP - may your perineum remain intact this time!

xx

[Olive]

i had an epi first time as well as a labial tear,
second time i tore along the old epi scar but not as deep or as bad, had a labial tear again as well as severe internal tearing, second time was less painfull recovery wise!

[2CheekyMonkeys]

i have no idea. though as i was reading your question i thought what if they need to do another epi, would they cut along the same spot?

i had 2nd degree tears (internal) with DD1 and only needed and epi with DD2 becuase of the scar tissue for first birth blocking her in!! oh and second baby was bigger at 8 ound 10.

good luck with it! though as much as you worry and think about it now, when the time comes you wont really care what happens to get your baby out! then it will be all over and done with and you will have your little one... (and a sore 'area' ) :-)

[OceanPrincess]

... second time was less painfull recovery wise!

Olive do you think that's because you tore as opposed to being cut? I am in two minds about it... natural tearing vs cutting...

though as i was reading your question i thought what if they need to do another epi, would they cut along the same spot?

Probably???

I am really hoping to avoid it this time... It is probably one of the only things I didn't like about DD's birth... and I'm sure my Obs wouldn't have cut if it wasn't necessary (I know that sounds naive but I believe it) but I'm hoping that being in a birth centre with MWs this time I can try and avoid any of that...

But Hollo you are dead right, once he is here I won't really care

[Mummato2]

I think a MW's philosophy is natural tearing vs epi - so maybe they'll let you go to see what happens.

I tore naturally with my son - due to the fact he went from crowning to being out in about 20 secs (no guidance as to how to push and I had an epidural)

With my second she was bigger and I didn't even graze.

She was a water birth, I controlled the pushing and birthed on my knees.

Check out positioning and see if a water birth is an option for you. If it's not or you don't want to, try warm compresses on your perineum during the birth.

Good luck!

[Olive]

absolutely hun!!! id tear any day over cutting!, not as deep as the cut,i still have visions of her cutting her

[OceanPrincess]

Ack, olive I'd not even thought of that til now!!!!

Ok will put it on my list to discuss with the MWs - I'd heard already that water birthing can help, so I think I'm gunning for that.

Thanks ladies

[Trillian]

Tearing is definitely better than being cut because you only tear as much as you need to tear and it is usually only superficial with minimal injury/damage to the surrounding muscles, but with an epi, you are cut right through and more often than not, cut further than you really need to get the baby out. My healing time with the epi was terrible and I had incredible soreness when lifting my left leg but with the tears, I didn't even feel them at all - no pain or discomfort.

[Mad Scientist]

Healing from tearing is a breeze compared to healing from an epi. I tore along my epi scar, second degree but I didn't need salt baths or anything at all. It just healed so much better. I could actually walk the day after the birth. With my epi I couldn't stand up straight, had to spray down there with salt water and have salt baths. Anti inflammatories were my best friend! Tearing, I barely even needed panadol. Hopefully you won't tear but rest assured it's NOTHING like an epi