Epidural & Episiotomy-Did You Ask for One?

My first I was given an episiotomy with no warning, at first I was mad because of it and the healing. With my second I tore, I tore really, REALLY bad (son got stuck) I wish I would have gotten an episiotomy...lol my third I didn't tear and I didn't get an episiotomy.. I guess I got the best of all worlds.

The most recent research shows that in most cases episiotomy do more harm then good! Natural tears aren't as deep, and thus they heal faster.

I cannot believe that Dr are still cutting when their medical research peers have shown without a doubt that cutting is worse than natural tearing.

Do NOT get an episiotomy. Do not request one, and run far away if your doctor has a high rate of doing them. The only time they should be done is in an extreme emergency. I have been attending homebirths for years and have never done one nor seen one done by another midwife. If you tear it is much easier to repair and heal. Your doctor should also be doing perineal support while you are pushing to prevent tearing. Look at it this way, take a piece of fabric and try to rip it in two using your hands. It is very difficult to do, now take that fabric and cut a tiny slit at the top and then try to rip it. It will rip much easier. This is what happens in an episiotomy. If you cut the mother then when the baby comes through it is much easier for the skin and muscle to give away. This is what causes rips into the anus. Don't let anyone cut you.
Also, you don't need an epidural. Your body was made to give birth. You are strong. You can do it. Also, the medications used in epidurals get to the baby. Don't drug your baby before it is born. The epidural also blocks the brain from knowing it gave birth so you don't get the big rush of endorphins following birth. I had an epidural with my first and homebirths with my next two. The difference is night and day. LOVED my natural births!

Take Care,
Lisa

P.S. Another poster said she started to feel it burning and knew she was tearing so she told her doctor to cut her. It will always burn as the babies head comes through. This does not mean you are tearing. This is a normal occurence as the skin is being stretched.

Epidural can stall labor and cause fetal distress from the abnormally fast and hard contractions that will happen because you will need pitocin generally after an epidural.

If you can stay at home for as long as possible to labor and go only once you are very far along - that would be better. Also, demand to be able to free move around your room without being hooked up to ANYTHING. Intermittent fetal monitoring has been shown to be safer than constant.

The episotomy... no - should only be done in great emergency and is generally unnecessary. Why cut such an important peice of feminine anatomy and structure when the skin there is meant to STRETCH to accommodate a baby's head?

***Addition***

For those who THINK that a 'straight cut line is easier to heal than a ragged edge'... for most things that is true. The perianal area is not regular dermis (skin) - so ragged edges will adhere better and be stronger then slicing the thin and specialized skin in the vaginal area.

Also, if you get sliced by a scalpel, the cut will be much longer and worse off than if you allow a small tear to happen.

I had 3 kids without epidurals or episiotomies. I didn't want the drugs getting to my babies, and they do. As others have said you'll heal much quicker if you tear naturally, which I did for my third child. I had midwives for all of my deliveries, who used perennial massage during labor and it definitely works. This kept me from tearing during the first two. The third was born in the posterior position, so I was lucky to just tear. Women whose babies are in the posterior position have a higher risk of a C-section. And yes, it was painful, but it was still doable without an epidural. One thing that makes delivering so much easier is exercising. You can significantly decrease your “need” for an epidural and the likelihood of tearing if you exercise regularly during your pregnancy. Good luck.

With my first, I asked for no epidural and no episiotomy. After being in labor for 48 hours, I asked for some meds and they gave me an intrathecal. Unfortunately I still had 24 hours of labor to go, so it wore off before I even started pushing! That was the hardest 72 hours of my life!
As for the episiotomy, after pushing for 4 hours, the doctor respectfully asked if I would allow an episiotomy after all other attempts failed. I relented and my son was born an hour later.
It was awful. I don't fault my doctor at all, as he is generally against episiotomies, but it was the hardest thing I have ever had to heal from. It took MONTHS and I got a staph infection to boot!

Second baby, was 12 hours labor, 40 minutes of pushing and no need for any meds or episiotomy.

The moral of my long, drawn out story, :) is that you should ask for neither, except in extreme circumstances. Be prepared for anything and you won't be disappointed if something doesn't go as you had planned!

Both my births were without pain medication (and that took some doing the first time--they really wanted to give it to me). I did have an episiotomy the first time (7lb 9oz baby), which I did not want.

After ordering and reading the hospital records of the birth, I am still not sure if it helped the baby at all. On top of that, it was not stitched properly. POSSIBLE TMI HERE--I had no way of knowing what it was SUPPOSED to feel like, so I didn't realize until my six week check up that there was a flap of raw skin hanging from between two stitches. The midwife cauterized it and it eventually healed, but even now, seven years later, I have pain if I sit too long or in any other way...irritate...that area.

My second birth actually helped heal that scar a bit. And my second child was 9lbs 8oz. I only tore a little along my scar. Enough to need stitches, but the healing was night and day! I was fine after a week!

My feeling is that labor is work. I hurt the way I would during the toughest workout I've never had any other way, if that makes sense. Relaxing, exercising, being prepared and having support (partner/doula) helps. And during transition (the toughest, shortest part) it gets hard to believe it will end. But it does. And once the baby's born, life is amazing!

HTH!

I had an epidural and loved every minute of it haha! I was induced, so things started to get pretty painful! I think it helped my experience, I was able to relax and when it came time to push, i didnt feel a thing. My dr didnt believe in epitomizes but i did tear. I didnt feel her stitching me up but for about a week-two weeks it was painful down there. made peeing interesting and would definitely recommend a stool softener!!!
Good luck and do what works and feel right for you, dont let anyone pressure you or force you to do other wise, its your body!!!

The routine use of these things is rarely in the best interest of baby or mother. Not that they're always bad in and of themselves, but the use of interventions usually (but not always!) leads to more interventions.

I really think that most women could birth naturally - even though many probably don't think so. It's about preparation: mental and physical. This is the hardest physical thing you'll ever do, but your body is designed to handle it. One of the best books I read - plain language, affirming tone - was The Official Lamaze Guide: Giving Birth With Confidence. It helped me to understand and not fear the process. Fear makes us fight against it and results in a lot of pain and panic. Our bodies have built-in pain coping strategies that are bypassed when interventions are used. This can make labor longer, harder, and sometimes more dangerous.

I had my son naturally. I kept myself in shape through the pregnancy and read read read! I was on natural birth blogs constantly reading about others' experiences so I would know the range of things to expect. There's no question: it was hard work, but I never asked for meds and I have absolutely no regrets because it was the best thing for HIM. Meds cross the blood barrier to the baby and this is not without effect on their systems. I wanted him to have the purest start possible.

Family members and friends who had epis had numbness and were unable to push, which necessitated use of forceps/suction; they couldn't move around to manage their labor and the babies didn't descend resulting in C-sections, and my mom had spinal headaches for three weeks after her epi with my brother. My son was awake and alert whereas his cousins were groggy and struggled to nurse.

Everyone is different, but I do want to encourage you to research your options and the pros and cons for your baby.

Congratulations and best of luck to you!

Had an epidural with baby #1 after 18 hours of hard contractions -- I had pitocin to move my labor along after those 14 hours and they broke my water so I asked for the epidural about 4 hours into the pitocin. Had baby another 10 hours after the epidural was given, after only 35 minutes of pushing and NO episiotomy. I tore a LITTLE and was stitched up -- back to my regular workouts by 2 weeks post-partum.

Had an epidural with pitocin induction 1 week post-date with baby #2; failed to progress after 20 hours and had a c-section so they turned the epidural up and did the c-section with it. I will add that the epidural tube slid out of place around hour 14 and due to the pitocin enhanced contractions, I was climbing the walls until they fixed it. My 2nd child had a short cord (6") and that is why I failed to progress- it wasn't long enough for him to come out (average is like 23"). Recovery was 6-8 weeks due to c-section abdominal surgery.

Currently prego with #3 (29 weeks) -- planning VBAC, epidural only if I ask for it, and NO EPISITOMY. All the research I have read says they are bad news, can cause permanent damage to the pelvic floor or nerves, potential of tears into the rectum beyond what was cut, and all kinds of no-nos.

I had no side effects from my epidurals -- just numbness (which I hate). I did not like waiting for it to wear off so I could get down into a wheelchair and go to my post-partum room. I am going to try to avoid one this time since they won't be using Pitocin on me for a VBAC.

Oh - and my mom had an episitomy with me -- I was a forcep delivery (33 years ago). She tore straight through from the episitomy to her rectum. Super fun. When you weaken your perinum by cutting it, it will tear (just like paper) -- worse than you would normally tear.

I had an epidural with all 3. I had no side effects. Heck, I'm a dance teacher. It has never bothered my back at all. All of my babies took to nursing immediately following birth, literally. They were not drugged or bothered in any way. I had never even had cramps with my periods, so labor was pretty intense for me. I did wait until I was pretty far along though.
I had an episiotomy with all 3. No problems with them, no extra ripping. Mine were cut more sideways. I don't know if that made some difference to prevent extra tearing.

I did not get an epidural with any of my 3 so I can not comment on that.
I got an episiotomy with my first. I was forced into a bad pushing position by the OB and was starting to tear and I wanted my baby out so that b***h would go away(sorry, but she was a nasty evil woman, random OB on call not the one I'd seen my whole pregnancy-but that's another story) so I agreed. Of my 3 that was the worst recovery to deal with. The pain and swelling was so painful! She did a major cutting job.
My second I got one but only through the skin layer and not into muscle like my first. His heart rate was not good and the midwife didn't feel it safe to wait for me to stretch. She didn't ask, it was a bit of an emergency. This is from a practice that maybe has 2-5 episiotomies a year so I did not feel like it was done lightly. The recovery was so fast with that! I still was uncomfortable for a few days but nothing compared to my first.
My third I didn't need one. No tearing either. I was in shock! Best recovery yet!
I recommend not getting one unless you absolutely have to, the recovery is vastly different.

i tried to do my first 2 without the epidural. i couldnt. my 3rd baby was in distress so they needed to give me pictocin, which i learned the hard way with my 2nd should never be given without an epi, at least not when you are delivering 9 lb babies like me. so i had the epi with all 3. if i could do it again, i would still try to go without it, but you have to be flexible. i did have some lasting back pain after my first epi, no problems after the other 2. i tore a bit with my 1st baby, doc said its better to tear than be cut. i didnt even know i tore until after when he stitched me up, which i didnt even feel, but it was only a few stitches, and i have had no problems from it at all.

I was induced and the epidural helped a lot. I tried to avoid having an episiotomy, but if it is between tearing and that it is better to be cut because it is easier to sew a straight line. If this is your first I would highly recommend watching "the business of being born".

I absolutely refused an epidural-read up on them to make your decision. They have become such commonplace, but I was adamantly against it for me. Despite being asked and told I should get one numerous times during labor by family and nurses (NOT helpful!) I was induced and was given cervidil, pitocin, and stadol. I refused pain meds, but that triple dose of nasty left me with weeks of horrible illness and side effects.

I had to have an episiotomy, didn't ask for it, but my son was fairly large and the cord and his arm around his neck, so it had to be done. I didn't feel it and aside from some discomfort in initial healing and getting back to sex, hasn't been as issue. My doctor did an excellent job in putting me back together. Periodically it does itch, but isn't an obvious scar.

Personally, I'd avoid both if you can plan and prep yourself for potential serious pain and finding more natural ways to deal with it. It's so much better for both you and baby. But don't beat yourself up if things don't go as planned, they rarely do!

I've had 3 babies. One with an epidural (my first) and two all natural.

With the epidural - I had more interventions. More monitoring, dehydration (causing baby and my heart rates to go low), but ended up with a vaginal birth (due to an amazing labor nurse - not the doctors who were prepping for a C-Section). I had horrible hemroids after because I think I pushed too hard, couldn't feel when to push, and had some bladder issues following delivery - nothing serious, but had problems controlling my pee for at least 3 weeks post delivery. I didn't feel like going out for a walk for at least 10 days after baby came.

Without the epidural I had a FAST recovery, less stitches (even though my second was 9 lbs 7 oz). We went out for a walk the day I came home from the hospital and I was at a friends baby shower when my son was 5 days old. I had a few bladder issues, but much less the second time around.

#3 came the same as #2, no drugs, less tearing, easy recovery - and hardly any bladder problems.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!
J.

I tried for an epidural the first time around and couldn't have it bc I had some issue in my spine and they couldn't get it in but they did manage to puncture the dural space causing me to endure a ferocious two week migraine...not fun. But baby is now 3.5, and it is a dim memory. Second time around I did not even worry about the epidural and did not need any intervention with pitocin etc. It was painful, but bearable and everything went faster. I much preferred my second labor experience bc there was so much less intervention so I felt much more in control. I just found out yesterday I am pregs with baby 3 and I plan to do it as natural as possible. I am still going to the hospital etc but I am going to opt out of pain meds and hope that I won't need any pitocin. Good luck!!

With my first I tried to wait until I thought I couldn't handle the pain anymore. Well when I did finally decide, between the nurse thinking I would be in for a long labor since it was my first and blood work needing be drawn and them being backed up. I wasn't able to get an epidural or any other kind of pain med. So it was all natural.

When I went in for my second I asked for an epidural as soon as I walked in the door. And for me it made such a difference and didn't effect my delivery one bit.

For my first I tore pretty bad. For my second I don't remember tearing at all and or if I did, it wasn't that bad. (My Dr's office believes tears are better than episiotomy's.)

I had an epidural about 7 hours into labor (I was induced so contractions got regular pretty fast). It took affect pretty quick, and I don't remember having any side effects, except that in some pictures right after my baby was born, my face looked a little puffy. It wore off within a few hours and I was able to get up and walk, go to the bathroom, etc.

As for the episiotomy, I made a personal decision that I did not want one (I had a cousin whose doc routinely gave them and she had much more pain and a longer recovery as a result). My Bradley/childbirth instructor gave us some tips on preparing the vaginal area for delivery by doing Perrenial Massages for the 6 weeks up to due date/delivery. My husband and I did so, and I only had a minor tear that had to be stitched up.

I had an epidural with both my children. I felt fine after both births, but don't know what I would have felt like without it, maybe better, maybe worse. I had to have an episiotomy with my last child. He was so large, the cut was made for his safety. The doctor just told me she had to and a second later she did it. No choice, but if it was to protect my child from injury then that is ok with me. I tore fairly badly with my first. Not much difference in healing between the tear and the episiotomy. Both were painful for a couple of weeks. I think every woman and birth is different. what is best for some isn't good for others. Just get a great doctor and discuss everything you can with them before the time comes.

I'd always planned to ask for an epidural and my doctor and hospital knew it. I'd have to say my epidural was flawless! I'd been in labor since 5 am, the contractions had been building all day and by the time I went to the hospital at 7pm I was getting alarmed at how painful things were getting. The pain just kept coming every few minutes and the breathing wasn't helping much. By 9pm the epidural was administered and I felt the anesthesiologist was my best friend. I didn't have my son till 5 pm the next day. If I hadn't been able to rest up over night, I never would have been strong enough to push him out. 36 hours was a long time (it's how long my mother was with me) but I was very glad for that epidural and I had no side affects afterward.
The episiotomy wasn't too bad. Mine was the least bit of cutting, which wasn't bad considering my son was just over 9 lbs. If you follow instructions about taking the sitz baths as often as you should, it heals up fairly quickly.

I had epidurals with both of my children but have to say, the pain meds wore off before I started pushing anyway, so I felt everything. Yikes. The contractions were horrendous and the epidural did help me through those, but didn't help me for the pushing part.

Good luck on your decision,
Lynsey

i got an epidural with my son (9lbs 11oz) and needed an episiotomy to get him all the way out. the episiotomy healed well/quickly. my back health/strength has never been the same since having kids. though some of that is due to huge weight gain (80 with my 1st and 60 with my 2nd), some of it i attribute to the epidural.

no epidural with my daughter (9lbs 13oz)...had to have her naturally because she came so quickly. there is a God and He loves me.

Epidural- gosh yes, twice. My feeling, there is no reward given for who can outlast the longest without meds. I get to say that I had wonderful labors (and epidurals actually dilate me to 10 cm within 30 minutes of getting them, 3cm-10cm the first, and 6cm to 10cm the second-something about relaxing me made my labor quicker) and not complain about how long they took or how horrible they were. Trade off was a back ache the next day, but I'll take the back ache. I had an episotomy with the first, didn't ask for it, doc said I had no choice, she was facing the wrong direction and would have torn me up otherwise. He didn't have time to do one with the second, my son just flew out on the second push (and I ended up with a tear that needed repair)

I can only comment for myself, so your experience may vary.
I had both an epidural and episiotomy.
After about 17 or 18 hours of labor, I hadn't progressed any more than I had when I noticed I was in labor. My body was tired and my water still hadn't broken. Dr asked if I wanted to broken, I said yes, and get me an epidural while you're at it. It was all I needed to get some rest and relaxation and progressed from a 4 to a 10 in about 2-3 hours. No pitocin was needed. I didn't have to push for long and shortly after was able to walk around, no problem. No lasting effects.
I had to have an episiotomy because DS had turned himself kind of sideways and was a little stuck (plus had the cord wrapped around his neck). I also tore. No biggie. Was stitched back up and felt no pain or itching. Have had no issues. Would it be something that I asked for? No. But I wouldn't be against it either.

I had neither one with my daughter and was running around in the mall in jeans the next day (we had NO pants for my daughter - we had to run out for some!). I did tear, had to be sewn up and I was pretty swollen, but the worst part was the hemorrhoids! That can't be solved by either an epidural or episiotomy - those will just happen. A girlfriend of mine had an epidural and she couldn't really feel how hard she was pushing and her hemorrhoids were even worse than mine and she was WAY more sore than I ever was. She swears that it stalled her labor, making her have to push longer... I don't know. I'm a big fan of the all natural considering how well it worked out for me, but maybe I'm just a freak of nature.

First birth, got the epidural as soon as they offered it when I got to the hospital. I was tired after feeling contractions for well over 24 hours. It was so nice. I relaxed, slept, didn't feel a thing when I gave birth. Even the pushing, I couldn't feel it and I even asked if I was pushing hard enough because I had no idea. The whole thing was very relaxed. It was like, out slid the baby. They did give me an epesiotomy as well and I didn't feel that obviously but I heard the snipping, it sounded so icky to me I will never get that sound out of my mind! I shudder. I recovered fine, although I couldn't walk for hours after, it took awhile for it to wear off. Once it did I was all good. I don't remember being too sore even from the epesiotomy. I think you really don't care at that point, you are so happy and in love with a newborn.

2nd birth, got the epidural again as soon as they offered it. This time it was a different hospital and I don't think they turned up the juice as much, I could still feel the contractions a bit, and feel the catheter in me (ew!) I was told they don't give much more than that because they want me to feel when it's time to push. Anyway, fast forward through some complications that occurred with the baby's heart rate, and I ended up having a C-section, where they numb you all the way down anyway. Recovering from THAT was about 100 times worse than the previous birth. Can't walk for awhile (because of the anasthesia and also because abdomen is so sore), they put the weird pressure things around your legs, so you don't get blood clots or something, and I was all itchy when the anasthesia was wearing off. Then you're sore and have a a lot of stitches to deal with. So recovery-wise, the first birth was much easier. The epesiotmy was nothing compared to a c-section incision.

If I have a third I will go for a VBAC if I can and definitely epidural again. It allowed me to rest and enjoy the birth. It hurts and feels a little uncomfortable when they administer it but that was nothing compared to hours and hours of heightening contractions.

Epesiotomy I had no issues with, they just sew it back up while your still numb, and then you treat it gently for a week or two after.

I really don't know how women did it before all these medical interventions came along.

.

Hi! I had an epidural with both my girls. The first one was a long time ago, 13 years ago. My water broke early in the morning, went to the hospital and was there for a good six hours with nothing happening, no contractions. They put me on pitocin and that started them. But the pitocin really makes the contractions hurt bad. I opted for pain meds at first, I didn't want the epidual at first. The pains meds didn't help. I felt all the pain but it made it so I really couldn't react to it. I was just lying there in pain. Finally I asked for the epidural. It was so great. No pain. Being in labor and pain for 18 hours was just to much. Baby finally came and I couldn't feel a thing but I could still push. I also had an episiotomy too. I didn't ask for it but I was starting to tear, so the doc just did it. I was fine with it. I didn't want to tear. I had stitches but it was fine. The pain only lasted about a week and a half. My second girl, 7years ago, went much more smooth. Got the epidural right when I got there. 11 hours later baby was coming and I could feel it, the pressure and some pain, but this time I was fine with it because I wanted to feel it somewhat. It was perfect timing. I pushed a few times and there she was. It was great. No episiotomy the second time. She came right out. It was beautiful. Sometimes you can make decisions before hand, but things might change when it actually is happening. Just be open to it and I think it will be just fine. Congrads and good luck!

I had neither with my first baby. I wasn't necessarily opposed, it just worked out I made it without them.
With my second baby, I had been critically ill through most of my pregnancy and had an epidural. I had already suffered to much and I'm glad I had it.
I had no ill affects from it afterwards.
I didn't have an episiotomy or tear with that baby either, thankfully.
I don't know that anyone "asks" for an episiotomy. I was so terrified of it, but it didn't happen in either case.

Just my experience. I hope it helps.

Best wishes.

I asked for an epidural after laboring at home for 6 hours with back labor. Originally had planned on trying for drug-free, but never regretted my decision. No side effects for me from the epidural, even though I am prone to migraines, and I was still able to control my legs and lower body while feeling no pain. I talked with my doctor prior to birth about preferring an episiotomy to tearing and he assured me he would cut me if I needed it, but only if it was necessary. He ended up cutting me in between pushes. I healed quickly and have had no residual problems, since it was a clean cut that was stitched and not a ragged tear.

Hi Elena
I didn't have either. I got great advise from a Mum prior to my labour. I followed this advise and didn't need an episiotomy.
Basically during the pushing you will feel pressure in both your anus and vagina.
Push from the anus like you are pushing a poo out. Do not push from the vagina.
This lessons greatly the chance of getting an episiotomy. Also it is advisable to try to go for a bowel movement in early labour as it gets rid of the psychological feeling that you might be pushing out a poo instead of the baby's head.
B. k

I got an epidural after I was forced to have pitocin. It made me shake during and after, throw up a few times and made me pretty dizzy (lifting my head from the pillow made me sick). All normal according to the nurses I complained to. BUT Because I hated the side effects so much that I switched off the pump for it a couple hours before delivery (a little over 2hrs I think) and it wore off by the time I started pushing. Soon as it wore off, I felt so much better and just shook a little bit, so I felt tons better for pushing and delivery. I did not have an episiotomy and told them I did not want one. I was right, I didn't tear at all (I think because I did pushing on my own, not coached).

Hi there - an epidural is completely up to you and how you are handling the pain. I personally wanted to avoid one and did and had a great birth experience. As for an episiotomy I'd advise you to avoid one unless it is medically needed. Episioptomies usually cause more severe damage than natural tearing and take longer to heal. A medical reason to get one might be if a vacum was needed to help get the baby out. I recommend taking a child birth education class not at a hospital. I teach at Mother's Haven in Encino and here is my website www.supportedbirthclass.com. There are lots of great classes out there though.
Good luck - and remember to make the decisions that feels right to you as it is your body!

Well yes I had an epudural cause I had to have two C sections lol.

Hello Elena,
I had neither with both of my children and don't regret it at all! I was determined not to get the episiotomy as the thought of cutting me down there scared me to death. I spelled it out out very clearly in my birthing plan and my doctor did not do it. I followed the Bradley Method, which I loved (instead of Lamaz). There is a beautiful feeling that happens when you push a baby out that I would not have wanted to miss for the world. Recovery was also very speedy. Good luck on your decision.

M.

Yes for both. The epidural worked perfectly with my first born (almost 8yrs ago now). Second... Not so much. My son rolled 'sunny side up' (face up) and laid on the spine keeping the med from getting below the waist. I just had the nursing staff turn it off... Why keep pumping meds into a spot that isn't going to do what it's intended to do.

The episiotomy... I started to tear with my daughter (1st born) so the Dr asked me if I wanted one... I told him, "Do what you gotta do! It hurts like H3LL!" The tears took FOREVER to heal. The episiotomy only took a few days to heal.

I asked for the episiotomy with my son. I felt the burn like I was about to tear and I told my Dr, "Cut me! I feel that familiar burn!"

I only had one stitch from my 2nd. I had 18 with my first.

My daughters head was only 10". My son's was 13. Go figure. : )

Knowing what I know now... I'd have NOT gone with the epidural again. But everyone is different. I actually enjoyed my experience with my sons birth better. Even though it was 12hrs of HARD labor and felt everything. And my daughters birth experience was only 6hrs of extremely tolerable labor and didn't feel anything until it was time to push.

I had two epidurals with my oldest child. No pain meds for the next two. I didn't think the epidural recovery was too bad until I experienced recovery without it. With it, it took about two weeks for me to start feeling like I was my normal self, including being able to stand up or walk around for longer than a few minutes. Without it, I was up and moving around just fine within a few hours.

I never did ask if I had an episiotomy or tore naturally with my first. That recovery took a few weeks, too. With the second and third, I had first degree tears both times. Recovery was not an issue.

I got an epidural, but waited until I was dialated quite a bit. It was really nice, not only for pain relief and some rest, but it also interrupted the nausea that started along with my labor. They did wind up needing to turn the epidural drip down a bit as I did not have enough sensation to push correctly. That inefficient pushing tired me out and made the pushing last longer than it probably would have otherwise.

I begged for an epidural, especially with my oldest, and the bastards wouldn't give it to me. Then again I went really fast once my water broke and they didn't have TIME to give me one LOL

I had an epsiotomy with my oldest, tore with my youngest and don't remember with my middle one. I didn't notice a difference between healing time OR discomfort between the episiotomy and the tear.

The choice on the epidural is yours and should be based SOLEY on YOUR needs. Labor HURTS, worse than anything else I've ever experienced. The upside is that once the baby is born there's no more pain, mostly. Base your decisions on YOUR tolerance for pain. Aim for drug free if that's what you want, but be open to taking the meds if you feel you need them. And don't let ANYONE guilt you into or out of either decision. You do what's best for YOU.

As for the episiotomy ... talk to your doctor about it and see what his stance is. It should definitely be based on an as needed basis rather than an "always do" or "refuse to do no matter what" basis.

With my first kid I had an epidural, and immediately after delivery it gave me a small side effect. I was shakeing really bad for a while. So I couldnt hold my baby until I stopped shaking. But we both were fine.

I had an epidural and slight tear with birth number one and went all natural with birth number two - my natural birth was faster and recovery time was quicker and easier. If I were to have more kids, I would say NO WAY to an epidural OR episiotomy - a tear heals easier than an epis!

I had the epidural. It numbed me from below the waist to mid-thigh, so I didn't feel "paralyzed." I could still feel things, but definitely took most of the pain off until the pushing came around. I didn't get the episiotomy, but my daughter "punched" a fist out after her head, so I did end up needed stitches. The epidural had worn off by then, so the stitches were not fun.

Good luck!

db

I had an epidural with my first and had zero side effects from it. I had the "walking" one though so could totally feel to push my son out in 8 min. I did NOT have an episiotomy though. I'm surprised so many women have had it. In the practice I went to, they said they were only done as a last resort if necessary, not as a general rule any longer like they used to do them. I was adamant that I did not want one though. I had a bit of 2nd degree tearing and a few stitches, but it wasn't bad. The pain was minimal and I only took Tylenol for a few days after the birth. I'm due with my 2nd in May so am hoping it goes as smoothly. But, am at a different hospital and Dr this time. So, am a bit worried about it all over again.

I didn't get an epidural with my first two deliveries. So 3rd time around I insisted on one. Mine must have been a different kind, because it was a single injection and no catheter. I wasn't "numb" to the point that I couldn't feel my legs or couldn't walk. It was a good experience. I'd recommend it.

Epidural - heck yes! I basically walk into the hospital and say "Hi, my name is --- and I want an epidural" haha! I didn't have any problems with the epidural. I did have some back pain where the needle went in for a few months after the birth...but nothing that was overwhelming or really bad at all, more of an annoyance. Nothing that stopped me from getting it a second time (and third time in a few months).

Episiotomy - no. Per my OB, he will only do one if medically necessary. I suppose I didn't need it for either delivery as he didn't do one. I healed up just fine after both. I had 6 stitches with my first and 1 or 2 with my second.

I got an epidural after 13 hours of labor with picotin (they were trying to speed it along, since I developed preeclamsia during labor) I didn't have ANY bad side effects at all. It was pure BLISS after having those fast, intense picotin contractions! It kinda felt cool too, they gave me a clicker that when I pushed it was supposed to give me an extra 'dose' or something... it felt like a cold waterfall going down my back. Really nice, actually. lol. As for the episiotomy... I didn't have one. And I delivered a 9lb 12oz baby girl with no tearing... I think that's pretty much luck of the draw. I know people who have said that they wished they had one after a severe tear, and I know others who say they wished they hadn't.

My two cents after having one birth with no pain meds/epidural and a 2nd degree tear since DD came out with fist and head at same time: Some women have very smooth epidural deliveries with no complications resulting from it and some try to go without but extenuating circumstances (Pitocin, back labour, very long labour ,etc. etc.) make going without an epidural extremely difficult. I have one friend who tried to go without but those circumstances included lots of vomiting make the epidural a lifesaver. I also know a woman who feels like starting with the epidural and allowing induction resulted in a cascade of interventions, resulting in a C-section for a bogus reason. If you go in and say you definitely want the epidural, you cut out your own freedom of movement and increased the number of things you are tethered to. What makes natural birth possible is the preparation involved and having the support to figure out ways to move and manuever that make the pain more productive than unbearable. Prepare to go without and make sure you have a care provider that is not just okay with this but is also not quick to use induction, continuous fetal monitoring, using an IV unnecessarily. I do feel having a natural birth was an incredible experience but I avoided the epidural and other interventions so things didn't cascade out of control resulting in a more complicated labor (C-section, vacuum extraction, forceps, etc). It wasn't about being a matyr as one poster insinuated.. Routine episiomities are not recommended from everything I've read. Good luck with your decision and birth!

My Dr cut me without us discussing it either way. I didn't even notice because I was in so much pain in labor with no drugs for my first two. I ripped in addition to the tears (babies stuck with hands on heads etc). Even so, they healed super fast and I couldn't tell it ever happened, there is no trace. For my 3rd emergency c-section, I had an epidural, an no complications after.

I really wanted to go without the epidural because I am petrified of needles esp. the IV. But my precious little one decided to do a flip and was trying to come out sunny side up and the back labour was insane. I finally cracked and asked for one at 9cm. Not sure how it would have went if I tried to do without but after 20 hrs in crazy pain I needed it. I didnt like the fact that I was stuck in my bed after getting it though and I dont know if the insane back pain that I had for weeks after was from the epidural or from straining and pushing but man did it hurt. I also had a lot of discomfort where the IV was. As for the episiotomy, I never had a chance to ask for one until it was too late and I tore. 7 stitches later, I wish I was able to get a clean cut down there cause I didnt sit straight for almost a month and it took about a year to feel normal down there again
Good Luck with whatever route you take

I had an epidural - planned to before hand, it was completely uneventful. I had discussed episiotomy with my ob before hand, his opinion (and some current data) are that tears heal at least as well if not better than an incision. I had a 3rd degree tear which never hurt. I was tired (just like if I had been up all night, hmmm) the next morning but that was it. No post labor or tear pain. I would no more have an epidural free labor than I would have expected DH to have an anesthesia free Achilles tendon repair. My dad is an ob - my primary concerns were healthy baby, healthy mother, pain free procedure. While I know many women view birth as an 'experience' I have never had or understood that mindset.

Epidural, definitely requested it and loved it! I called it the World's Greatest Invention! Zero side effects.

Wish I'd requested an episiotomy with our second. I figured I'd have one since I did with our first. No such luck. I got a big tear and was sore a whole lot longer than with the episiotomy.

Ask for what you want, but be prepared that every situation is unique and you may not always get what you prefer.

My story is strangely similiar to Mommyof2Boys.
2 failed Epidurals with my first, and finally an episiotomy after pushing for 2 hours. Was sore but nothing horrible.
Second was no pain meds and I tore pretty bad but the pain wasnt horrible, I never asked for pain meds and was in and out with in 33 hours. I had it in my head with my second that I never wanted meds from the start, everyone thought I was crazy including my dr, I was then determined to prove them all wrong and I sure did.

Good Luck

I had an epidural and episiotomy with my first and I was super sore after! I felt like someone punched me repeatedly in the crotch. With my 2nd, much faster labor, I did not have either and I tore. Much to my surprise, I was much less sore.
I think the epidural slowed my labor with my first, which meant the pressure of his head caused more soreness.

You do have to ask for an epidural. My doctor just gave me an episiotomy with all 3 babies...you wouldn't want to tear! I had epidural with babies 1 and 3(2 came too fast) You have to be really still when getting it wich is hard because you are having contractions ok so afterward your legs are numb for a while then you get the feeling back and everything is good. With my first one though I would get like a sensitive feeling in the spot where the needle was every now and then for a couple years...weird but with my 3rd I have yet to feel that and he is 11 months. I was sore after my episiotomies but that lasted about 2 weeks and then the soreness was gone. Sex was rough the first couple times after each kid but not painful to the point of tears just uncomfortable at first. Good luck to you and don't stress out too much about the after because when it comes you will be too in awe of your baby and too sleep deprived to notice the discomfort.

I had an epidural with my first and at the time it felt like the best thing ever. However having it prevented me from being able to move and when pusging came along my baby's heart rate kept going down, and I'm certain that it could've been better if I had been getting in better positions. Because her heart rate kept dropping and I couldn't feel how I was pushing (and baby's face was facing my front- horrible baby position to birth in) the staff decided to do a vacuum assisted delivery, which included a huge episiotomy. Oh, forgot to mention that they also did internal fetal monitoring. I will never allow any of these things to be done to me and my babies ever again!
I had severe back pain from the epidural catheter for about 9 months after the birth. It hurt to have sex all the way until my second child was born (I assumed she stretched my scar out and 'reset' my vagina to new). My poor baby had 2 big scars on her head from them kissing on the first try with the internal monitor. And came out with a huge lump on her head and developed almost severe jaundice due to the trauma she endured with the vacuum.
My second baby was born in a birth center, under water, and the only complication that developed was I tore. There were multiple tears but all only first degree (the episiotomy the doc cut was 3rd degree). I healed in less than 5 weeks and sex has never been painful for me after my second birth.
Any future babies will be born at home. I never want to birth in a hospital again. I never want to be in a car while in labor again. I never want to be stressed in any way which isn't beneficial to me or my child ever again.

I've had epidural twice and episiotomy once. Asked for the epidural, but not the episiotomy. Loved epidural. The episiotomy was sore for 2 wks. Had to sit on a doughnut and take sitz baths to ease the discomfort and promote faster healing.