Personal stories about having an episiotomy

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Personal stories about having an episiotomy

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Toshi, age 27: I really didn't want to be cut when I delivered my baby. I did regular perineal massage during my last 6 weeks of pregnancy and found a midwife who did not like to do episiotomies as a rule. I had a small tear, but it healed in a couple of weeks.

Maria, age 29: I have been preparing for childbirth by doing Kegel exercises and perineal massage. And I plan to use hot packs during delivery to help avoid tearing. I hope to avoid being cut, but I do not want to have any tearing.

Bernice, age 28: My first baby was 2 weeks overdue and quite large. I didn't have an episiotomy, and I had no tearing. I read up on the topic early in my pregnancy and ended up changing to a different hospital because it had a lower rate of episiotomies.

Carly, age 26: I would like to avoid tearing, but I would rather tear naturally than have an episiotomy. I only want to be cut if the baby needs to be born quickly because of a problem. I'm hoping that my doctor does not offer to do an episiotomy to “speed things up” for me, because I may be impatient then and agree to something I may regret later.

Saleema, age 35: I am working toward my third totally natural childbirth. I always tell my midwife not to do an episiotomy unless my baby is in trouble. I have never had a tear in the past, but if I do, I believe that it will cause me less pain and will heal faster than an episiotomy would.

Credits

Last updated:	December 05, 2007
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC