[iluvmygirls]

I had an episiotomy with my first, but tore with my second, she came very quick.

[onyerbikeluv]

Thanks everyone - some very varied responses.

I'm going public again, so no idea who will be there on the day (I don't have an OB), but I really am liking the idea of getting a local just in case. I'm going to ask my midwife about that ... although she'll probably respond the same way she did when I heard about 'walking epidurals' haha - "not in the public system, love!".

[Mamabug]

#1 - episiotomy
#2 - natural second degree tear, stitches
#3 - no tear, no stitches
#4 - natural second degree tear, stitches

Strangely, #3 was my biggest baby and my worst labour!!

[Angelina Balleri...]

I had an episiotomy with my first after 90 mins pushing and vacuum.

It healed very badly and was still giving me problems when we ttc #2.

With my second baby she was out within 10 mins of not particularly strenuous pushing.

I think I had a 2nd (maybe 3rd) degree tear along the old scar line but it healed about a million times better than my previous epi.

[Leha]

I had one with DD who was coming out bum first. Despite having it she wouldn't come out and I had an emergency c/sect.

DS was born after 20 minutes of pushing and I didn't need one and I didn't tear. I did use an epi- no and I think this is what stopped me from tearing. My midwife told me before he was born that I had a very high chance of tearing along the scar and advised me to use the epi- no to help prevent it.

[nessrose]

DD1 - I had one. Your birth sounded like mine.

DD2/3 (twins) - quick 2.5 hour labour. No need for one.

DD4 - 5 minute pushing stage, no need for one.

Have #5 due any day now and hoping won't need one.

[zanjabil]

I had one with #1 and would never choose it again. The stitches ouch and teh recovery time was awful. And I had some long lasting problems for a while from it as well.

#2 I didn't have one and no tears! and she was much bigger than my first at 3.95kg. Recovery was amazing as I went shopping the next day lol

This post has been edited by zanjabil: 06/05/2012, 09:00 PM

[Sassy Girl]

I've had four children. I only had one with my first. He was the only one that I had to have forceps with as well.

[4joys]

#1 - Episiotomy + forceps

#2 - Episiotmoy

#3 -Tearing

#4 - Tearing

With my 3rd and 4th birth, I healed my faster and with less pain. I specifically wrote in my birth plan for #3 and #4 that I absolutely did not want Episiotomy's. I also had an "Episiotomy happy" OB with 1 and 2, and was far more proactive with the 2nd 2 OB's (moved state) about not having Epi's.

[Phoenix Blue]

I had one with my first. Needed vacuum too. Very sore for a few weeks after.

2nd one came out in 2 pushes and I may have torn a bit? Maybe a stitch or 2, I really can't remember, and healing was much quicker and less painful.