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In Austria (where I live) most hospitals only do an episiotomy if they fear that you will tear badly (3rd or 4th degree, through the a__s). They can't tell if this will happen until way at the end of labor, when your perineum stretches to encompa__s the baby's head. Sometimes, if its obvious you're going to tear severly, its better to make a controlled cut than to risk a tear that will cause much worse damage than the episiotomy. If it looks like your perineum is stretching all right, then they don't do anything and allow you to tear a little bit (a lot of people don't tear at all). Most people don't feel these superficial tears. I imagine it is much the same in the US. By the way, I had an episiotomy after much pushing and no progress and I didn't feel a thing. They gave me a local. My end stage (natural) labor was very painful and I was sooo happy when the episiotomy ended it.

Hi Michi, I just had my baby 4 weeks ago and I did not have an episiotomy. I had a second degree tear. I have heard that it is better to tear than to be cut. At least with a natural tear you may get lucky an only tear a little. They measure how "bad" the tear is by calling it first, second, third and fourth degree. Fourth is the worst. I had a second degree and my recovery wasn't that bad. Honestly you will be sore down there even if you don't tear or have the episiotomy, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. You will have to sit down easily and it hurt me to sit on a hard surface for a few weeks. I was able to resume having s_x after 3 weeks postpartum. I didn't feel myself tearing and I didn't feel it when the Dr. st_tched me up. Gwendolyn is also right though, at the end of the whole process and the baby is crowning if they think you are going to tear badly an episiotomy may be necessary.

They say that teaing naturally is far better than an episiotomy, though they are of course sometimes necessary. I apparently tore 1st degree and had one st_tch. I didn't feel the tear, the st_tch or anything like that so don't worry. The thing that I didn't really expect was the discomfort in sitting for the first few days - ouch! My sister-in-law had no tear but it was the same for her - very uncomfortable. The midwives really guide you when the best time to push is, and if you can follow their instructions, you reduce the chance of tearing.

Thanks to everyone your answers were very comfortable.

Nah don't be scared..I was like that but I got over it! Well to be honest, I had my daughter 9 months ago..I've never had an episitomy. Thanks god! But it's can't be up to you..Its up to the doctors if needed. Like if the babys shoulders get stuck or something..you need an episiotomy.. But I had an v____al tissue tear up itself and it hurt like a BITCH! Id almost wanna cry. But than afterward, I paid more attention to my daughter and ignore the pain. They freezed it so I can't feel the pain while st_tching me up. SO I hope I help!