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The local burns when they are putting it in, other than that you really don't feel much at all. I could feel some tuggin as they st_tched me up though.

Thanks for your answer kaylynnsmom, I'm terrified about the whole procces.

If you're worried, you could request that they let you tear.

The cut is made during a contraction when the tissue of the perineum is being stretched by the baby's head. That's why it doesn't hurt. They also may give you a local as well before they do it. What does hurt - but you can request a local for this too - is the st_tching up afterwards. Also, it burns going to the toilet for several days and you may not be able to sit properly for days or even weeks.

So you think that to tear naturally is better?

when i had my first child i had an episiotomy and i also tore on top of that. (she was 9lb 6oz) i found that the part where i tore was more sore than the cut part. and stung when i washed.

Michi - as I was unable to deliver v____ally, I have no experience with tearing or an episiotomy, which is why I didn't offer an opinion the first time I posted. However, for my own birth plan, I had requested that they let me tear, based on speaking to several people who had been cut, and several people who tore. The ladies who tore, in general, seemed to heal more quickly than the ladies who were cut. One lady suggested that this was because, in most cases, you only tear as much as you need to to allow the baby to pa__s, but a doctor is not able to determine that, and so will cut through more muscle and tissue. As I said, though, I have no personal experience - this is simply the choice I had made for myself and my reasoning, so no one attack me, please. Thanks. :-)

All the stories I read where the women tore 4th degree, the last part of labor was extremely painful. They actually had to "bust" their own tissue in order to get the head out because the area wasn't stretching enough. This is only accomplished by extremely persistent and excruciatingly painful pushing (sometimes someone else also leans down on your belly for more pressure). Most people describe this as feeling like they are being "torn in two". It's worse than the normally felt "ring of fire". One of the people in my home forum had to have her a__s surgically reconstructed with two operations. In cases like this the tear will not heal as well as the episiotomy, simply because the degree of damage is worse. In contrast, a 1st or 2nd degree tear will usually heal faster than the episiotomy because this type of tear is smaller than a cut. Generally, birthing in an upright position or in warm water is recommended for preventing tears. Also, it is a good idea to begin ma__saging your perineal area with oil several months before you are due. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to do this due to cervical incompetence. Check with your midwife or doctor. In any case, there is plenty more info on the net on how to soften and stretch your tissue.

I originally wanted to be allowed to tear, but when the time came, the pressure was so intense that I couldn't control my pushing & knew that I'd have a pretty bad tear and asked for the Dr. to make the cut. In order for the tear to be better, you have to be able to stop pushing and let everything stretch, it you just push straight through, you'll tear worse than with the cut. I had a friend tear & need 22, yes TWENTY-TWO st_tches. That's what made me change my mind at the last minute.. And she tore towards the front - OUCH. But my cut healed fine, it never burned to go pee, but Ileaned forward on the toilet each time. After about 2 days it started to itch a little (a sign of healing) but they'll give you some good spray stuff to help with that and it was healed in a week. My friend who tore still couldn't walk right 2 weeks later. It took here a good 4 weeks to be able to walk "normal". The hemroids were worse than the Episiotomy.