What's the worst pain? The labor contractions, or if you actually have an episiotomy? The Episiotomy is what worries me most--does this epidural help this pain, or is it much more likely to actually need one because of the epidural. Any thing else you can add on Episitomies would be very helpful, the good, the bad, and the UGLY!

Thanks!

[mollymae]

The epidural will numb everything from the top of your bump down. Don't forget they do c sections using them.

It is hard to tell if you need to push or how hard to push if everything is numb especially if its you first but the midwife/doctor can tell you. i had two of mine with epidurals and didn't have any tears or stitches.

Try not to go in with a rigid birth plan be prepared to just go with the flow because babies rarely want to stick to the plan.

Try not to worry.

good luck

I didnt have the "E -word" with my births, but shudder at the thought of them Unfortunately i had tearing 2 times and it was most painful after birth - but during birth i didnt feel (once was epidural, other time no pain relief)

A friend of mine had an episiotomy with her DD#1 whilst she had an epidural - and didnt feel it at all (until it wore off).

HTH

Shelley

I never had episiotomies with any of mine either. I was led to believe that tearing (so long as you don't tear too much) is actually better than being cut, as when you tear, you generally tear along the natural line of your muscle. Whereas when you're cut they cut straight through the muscle. You heal easier and faster if you tear naturally than if you were cut - apparently.

But since I never had an episiotomy I guess I wouldn't really know. Although I did tear with one of my kids (my first) and only grazed with the others. I didn't feel the tear BTW as the pain of the contractions overrode it. I reckon it's worth, waiting and seeing how your perinium goes before deciding on an episiotomy, because you may only tear slightly anyway or not at all, and it'd be a shame to be cut for no reason

i had an episiotomy with my first, and didnt' feel a thing..... interesting huh? after though..... WOW!!!!!

i spent a week (at home after 6 days in hospital) having salt baths 4or 5 times a day, had to stand in the bath with a portable shower head pointed down there every time i had to wee...... it was a shocker..... but that might have just been me.

but the contractions were definitly worse than the E pain....

I had an episiotomy forced onto me by myob with my first birth. It was horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There was no medical reason to do it at all, she just did it routine with all first time mothers. It was a totally invasion of my body.

I had 2'nd degree tears with my second son, and it was nothing compared to the episiotomy. I'd choose a natural tear over a cut any day!

i didnt have an episiotmy either. my ob doesnt do them and it was also my choice that I didnt want one either. but I did have a 2nd degree tear which I didnt feel at all since my ob gave me a shot of numbing stuff down there before it happened. so when she stitched me up it wasnt painful at all either. and the recovery was quick and painless. the only sensation I felt during recovery was that it felt kinda swollen and tender. they also gave me some spray stuff and some witch hazel pads and some foam stuff to put on the perineum after I went potty to help with the healing and any discomfort I had. Oh and a sitz bath also which I think I only used a couple times. I would recommend risking tearing instead of the episiotomy, but everyone is different. I was afraid to death of tearing but once you are inthere and going thru the whole childbirth you realy dont think about it, at least I didnt. Also ask your ob or the nurses if they can massage your perineum while the baby is coming out to help stretch the tissue so you tear less, my ob did it and I am sure it helped some. You will be ok no matter what. good luck!

hi there i had both with my first and ended up getting an infection and was in a lot pain and they only really do it if its needed other wise youll be fine

I had an Episiotomy also... Because of my Epidural, I didn't feel it tear or the Doctor put the stitches in. But, by the time I got home I was hating life, not only is the pain rough, but it makes it sooo much harder to take care of the baby when you're in pain!

I requested NOT to have on Episiodomy even before I went into labor.
After 12 hours of labor, I did get an Epidural and ended up hving an emergecy C-section.

I was in the hospital for 5 days, but once I was home I was fine.