Episotomy

Hi there!

Just wondering to all those Mums already who have had an episotomy the following questions:

How long before it healed and did you still have a scar?

How long before you tried to have sex again?

If you gave birth again did you need another one?

What type of an episotomy did you have?

I'd really appreciate any advice as I've had one 8 weeks ago with my first child and am concerned about the above issues. I had a cut to the side into my bum cheek rather than backwards!

Thanks and hope you are all well!!

Newbie16 and 8 week old James x

I tore

The doc was umming and erring about whether to give me an episotomy and decided that I would prob be ok and stretch, but my daughter shot out and I tore in three directions! It took them an hour to stitch me up!

However I healed well, I had baths with lavender oil twice a day and took arnica. I was healed externially in about 2 weeks, however it took a lot longer before I felt completely healed inside, It was a few months before I had sex again and the first few times i chickened out as as soon as any stretching pressure was on that area it hurt. Prob took about 6 months to get back to 'normal' but then was absolutely fine!

I don't know if i'll need an episiotomy this time, i plan on doing lots of perineal massage so hopefully I will be fine!

Don't know if that helped at all?

Episotomies and tearing

Hi Newbie16 and James,

Congrats on the birth! I requested an episotomy, but unfortunately everything happened too fast and I didn't get the chance and tore instead. The tear was toward my rectum and needed about 15 stitches!!! It was very tender and quite bruised, but even so 6 weeks later i feel fine... I made sure to wee in the shower for about 3 weeks, just to keep it clean and avoid pain and bathed with a half a cup of salt and 6 lavender oil drops in the water twice a day... I think thats what helped it heal so quickly. The only issue I have now is that it has not healed 100% on the inside and stings a bit when I go to the loo as well as the fact that I'm too afraid to have sex because I'm afraid it may tear the bit thet hasn't healed... I would probably need an episotomy next time I'm sure but I don't mind as there is practically no scar and the healing process was fine.

Take care!

Dee369

..

How long before it healed and did you still have a scar? Cant remember to be honest. A few weeks. I had salt water baths. Theres a light scar but nothing major.

How long before you tried to have sex again? A few months but i was single.

If you gave birth again did you need another one? Havent given birth since.

What type of an episotomy did you have? My son had to be delivered by ventouse so i had to have a cut. They cut outwards if that makes sense..

Congrats on little James x

Reply...

I DID NOT WANT and episiotomy, and my doctor only does them if the baby is in distress, so I was pretty sure i was safe. NOT! I had a super fast labour, but the baby kind of 'got stuck' and so I was cut when she started to stress.
1. Not sure how long it took to heal, but no scar that I can tell
2. Can't remember (baby is 16 months now) but it hurt the first bunch of times, but is perfectly fine now.
3. Haven't yet
4. THe cut to the back. Owwwww. The healing was the worst.

But what can you do! Just have to trust your doctor to do the right thing, and then life goes on...!
PS I also ride horses, but I didn't start riding again until I was well healed so no interactions / complications there!

I feel your pain!!

i was 17 when i had my first baby and whole pregnany was horrific none stop vomiting only to end up having a 68 hour horrendous labour!! my babys heartbeat slowed and they literally threw my stirrups in the air , came at me with them giant scissor things and pulled him out with forceps! It was so traumatic and to top it off he was a dark purple grey colour and had to be resucitated (fine now thank the lord). My stitches were also to the side and there is still a sort of slight scar four years on but nothing major though i think that 'area' changes after childbirth anyway?! Anyway had sex after around 10 months which is was terrified about but it was fine just take things slow!!
Had second child who is 2 now after a 33 hour labour which seemed quick to me lol!! No episiotomy no scarring and hardl any after pain. Bliss!!hope this helps!xxxxxx