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can anyone tell me what is like from experiance?

I did not have an epidural. I had a shot of demoral about 4-5 hours before the birth, but I am not really sure if it gave me any relief, cause the pain did get worse. When I was pushing, I did not really feel a lot of pain..it was a relief. I think honestly women must go into a state of shock or something. So, it became an emergency and they told me to push until baby was here, not with contractions or anything, so within 5-10 minutes baby was here, and I tore pretty bad. I had 8 st_tches externally and not sure how many internally. It really did not bother me during the labour, afterward it was quite unconfortable for a while, but you just went through labour so nothing feels as bad! They gave me a needle down there to numb the area for st_tches (why they cannot do that for the birth, i dont know!), but it only works for a small area. I did feel some of the st_tches being put in, but really, it was the least of my worries at the time. I hope this doesnt scare you. I would do it again of course for a healthy baby. I am going to try to avoid a fast pushing phase this time to try to avoid tearing, but if it happens, I really am not that concerned...i just really dont want to have to to through the healing process again.

i had no drugs either and either tore or they cut me, not sure, but all i do know is you have no idea, well i didnt nor did anyone i know. there is so much happening and you are already in pain with contractions and pushing.

I went through a drug free labor and delivery using the Bradley method. When I was pushing I felt a kind of burning sensation but it was a great relief to finally be able to push. (The doctors kind of forgot about me for a while and then were screaming for me not to push while they get everything ready) I also had a very fast pushing stage (7 minutes). I had three tears, some internally and some externally. I couldn't actually feel it happening. One of the things that I learned from the Bradley book is that nature, in its infinite wisdom, already provided paid relief for v____al tearing. When the baby's head pushes against the perinium it cuts off the circulation in that area. No circulation=no pain. So Dr. Bradley performed pressure episiotomies. He watched for the perinium to turn white and then made the incision. The patients couldn't feel it. After the delivery he used the novocane shot for the st_tching. I was against the episiotomy altogether so can't tell you how that feels. The novocane shot was the most painful part of the whole labor/delivery process, but that lasts exactly a second. Anyway, of course everyone's experience is different, but that's my two cents.

Miriam, that is really intesting. I did not know I tore either, yumymumy, just so you konw...it seems to be the consencus here.

That's pain relief not paid relief. Sorry. Can't type today.

I had the epidural and tore, they didnt get a chance to cut me, it happened to fast. I didnt feel it or him st_tcking me, but it burned for a while everytime i peed. eventaully the stiches disolved on thier own.

ok thank people. MichelleB, that did scare me! lol its better that i know kinda what to expect... i hope i either dont get cut or tear at all OR i dont know it happens. i guess its a kinda fear i have, like some people have towards needles. although you get so many needles during pregnancy (i did) that you would get over it. my best friend has NEVER had a blood test for anything, and she wants a baby soon and is affraid of needles i dont know hwo anyone can not have a blood test at some stage!?, sorry just had to add that in :)

i have had one of each and i can tell you id perfer to tear than to be cut it stings so bad to me even being numb it still hurts i would do whatever you feel is right but thats my speal on it...

You should check out the thread "Some advice for a well managed delivery" you might find it really helpful....

Hi yumymumy. I had an episiotomy with my first. I was given a local anesthetic prior to the cut being done, so it didn't actually hurt to be cut but I could still feel it. The reason for my episiotomy was that my daughter had quite a large head and the Dr thought I was going to tear. It is a belief that a cut heals better than a tear, but apparently there are studies that are disproving this. I read that starting 'perineal ma__sages' 6 weeks before delivery may reduce your chances of tearing or needing an episiotomy.

well. i am a first time mother, and i have NOT had my baby yet. BUT ... my doctor does not do episiotomy's anymore. None of the doctors around here do them anymore. I asked him (as well as the nurse that is instructing my cla__ses on labor) and they both said that they don't cut anymore because if you cut, then you're going to automatically get a long rip ... and if you just let it tear naturally, then you will more than likely only get a 1 degree cut. They also both rea__sured me that there is no difference in the pain (whether they cut or it rips naturally). but there is a difference in pain if you get a higher degree cut. so. if you have an option (check with your doctor, and see what he does, he might not cut like mine) i would recommend not cutting!

Most of the doctors around here do not do episiotomies unless they are medically necessary. I had a drug-free birth and I did tear slightly, but at the time I had no idea I was tearing. Perineal ma__sage can make a huge difference! Talk to your doctor about it. My son was 9 lbs. 5 oz. with a 14 inch head.... made it around the head without tearing, it was his shoulder that got me, lol. I think you'll find when you actually go into labor that you might not be as worried about this as you think, it's pretty overwhelming in general! Good luck!

I posted this on another question, it is just a repeat...This has not been my experience. I had a level FOUR episiotomy with my first child. I was in so much pain for weeks. S_x was miserable for about 8 months afterwards. I changed ob's and my next ob said that he would watch me very close. I went to the Bradley Method cla__ses that suggested it was better to tear than to be cut because when they cut, they cut through muscle too. When you tear, it is just tissue. I am very small and so I did tear with child number 2 and had 12 stiches. I was fine in about 5 days, s_x NEVER was an issue. I tore with number 3 as well, only 6 st_tches. I have told all my friends, my sisters, my sis-in-laws and anyolne else who will listen...episiotomys are a bad idea. My two sister in laws that did not listen to me the first time, DID listen the next time and both of them agree-tearing is much easier to recover from. Maybe it is just a matter of opinion, or a matter of experience, but if yo have a doc who is patient and will work the perineum around your baby's head carefully, you will be fine. I don't mean to scare you, but I do want to give you another side of it. If you are interested, the Bradley Method is by FAR the BEST birthing technique I have ever seen. I still can't do it naturally, I want the epidural, but 6 kids later, I do still feel like Bradley will educate you better than anyone about your body and the process. Good Luck!!! Do keep in mind though that sometimes episiotomies are necessary to help a baby in distress. Alot of docs do it though just to speed up labor and get done. Make sure to talk to your doc and let him know that you would like to avoid one if possible. See what he or she tunks about the process...

yumymumy, about your friend - this is my first pregnancy, and up until now, I have never had blood drawn or anything, and I hate shots, I am terrified of needles! Nothing scares me about pregnancy or labor, other than the fact that the epidural is a huge needle, as well as the fact that I have to get an IV put in. I was so afraid to get blood drawn for the first time, I cried like a 5 year old, haha. But it wasn't too bad after all. =)

oh my my my my, you can tear on the outside AND inside???? Im going to die!