Episiotomy recovery

**Imamum2b** · 20-03-2006 13:47

Hi all

I'm sorry if this is a really dumb question or if it has been covered before, but I am really interested to hear about the recovery of people who have had episiotomies (hope I spelled that right).

I have always said I would have an elective c-section but I really want to do what will be the least painful and stressful for me and am definitely open to VB.

I feel like I am choosing between a cut in the belly or a cut down there and would really like to hear good and bad recovery timeframes. There seems to be a lot on c-section recovery, but not much information on stitches on a bad tear or an epi.

I've only heard the stories on stitching after tears (albeit 3rd degree).

Thanks!

**JodieC** · 20-03-2006 13:59

As far as i know a natural tear heals faster than an episiotomy. I had quite bad tears with my first 2 and had lots of stitches and they healed quite quickly, only tender for a day or 2.

With my third i had a 'graze' which was to small for a stitch, this has only just healed, hasnt been sore but everytime i have had sex it bleeds and sometimes when i go to the toilet

**Starlet** · 20-03-2006 14:04

I had an episiotomy with DS1. As far as I can remember it was really sore and tender down there for a few weeks, so it made it kinda hard to get comfortable sittng down. That all eased after two weeks, but we refrained from intercourse until I had my six week check up at the doctors to make sure it had comletely healed.

Panadol and frozen pads were fantastic to ease the soreness(I would have never thought of chucking pads in the freezer if I hadnt been offered them in hospital).

And I didn't feel a thing when they actually cut me in case you were wondering about that. Getting the actual stitches did hurt a fair bit but I stil had the gas and was puffing away on that lol.

I went on to have DS2 a year and a half after DS1 was born, with only a minor tear.

**misskittyfantastico** · 20-03-2006 14:40

I had a one cm cut which I didn't feel (I didn't feel the stitches either). My bits were fairly tender for about a week - but then I HAD just given birth!. I haven't had a caeser but IMO surely a routine episiotomy would be less painful to revover from? BTW with a VB you might not even need an episiotomy

**Imamum2b** · 20-03-2006 14:50

Thank you!

I am leaning to VB for the reason that I might not need stitches (or many), but honestly, I worry about future pain and possible problems.

It might seem selfish to some people, but I fear that things down there might not work properly after VB, particularly with a big cut like an epi.

**nemosmum** · 20-03-2006 14:52

I had both a natural tear and an episiotomy and had about 30 stitches (inside and out)

But to my suprise I didnt feel any discomfort whats so ever, I was worried about going to the bathroom(sorry TMI

) as I had heard bad stories but I had no pain what so ever

The only pain I had was ligament pain.

Good luck with having a great birth......I am so happy I had a VB

**JanetF** · 20-03-2006 14:54

A natural tear heals far better and doesn't extend into a 4th degree tear like episiotomies do. But if you choose a good careprovider it's unlikely you'll tear. In 2003 the perinatal data for Victoria showed that only 8% of women in hospitals gave birth without perineal injury. Of the women who birthed at home that year with midwifery care, 98.7% did so over an intact perineum. So obviously it's careproviders who make the biggest difference to tearing.

**nemosmum** · 20-03-2006 15:01

I agree with JanetF

But is it really accurate to compare the millions of Aussie women giving birth in hopsitals to the thousands giving birth at home?

Just wondering what the numbers are like re: Hospital/home births in Oz?

**sharvs** · 20-03-2006 15:03

I had a tear & stitches but didnt feel either of them until the next day. I was quite sore for about 2 weeks, going to the toilet was the worst but the doc told me that alot of that was just child birth, not because I had stitches. Whichever way you go, there will usually be abit of discomfort and pain but either way it is well worth it - and remember, it doesnt last forever.

**SuperWoman** · 20-03-2006 15:40

I was cut while in labour with my son because he would'nt come out otherwise and had stitches, the first week was uncomfortable and i had trouble sitting down and going to the toilet. I think the main thing i found uncomfortable was not being able to clean myself properly "down there" IYKWIM.
All up it probably took 2 weeks to not bother me anymore so much and i didn't feel sore till the next day either. Like Sharvs said, there will always be discomfort and pain, but it is so worth it and doesnt last forever!!!