Pondering deliver

Babydearest · Mar 26th, 2009, 11:47 AM

I know it's still early days, but I can't seem to stop thinking about the actual delivery. This is my first pregnancy, and tbh I've been afraid of childbirth eversince I was traumatised by all the gruesome details we once learnt in school. Also, I've very chicken with it comes to pain tolerance. So far, I am leaning towards natural delivery (with epidural) because I feel that the pain afterwards will be more tolerable than a c-section. Besides, I am hoping the epidural will work miracles (at least better than pure natural).

However, I'm really confused about the fact that some women 'tear' and don't 'tear' down there. I always thought that all natural deliveries are done with a 'slit' down there to facilitate the exit of the baby. Or is it possible to have a natural without having the get cut? Would our thingies be able to expand that much? What's an episiotomy??

Sorry for so many questions. I am really curious and would love to hear anyone's opinions and experiences!

golcarlilly · Mar 26th, 2009, 12:15 PM

An episiotomy is the cut they make to avoid you tearing (which can be worse than the cut!) I had to have one cos my DD was 9lb 10 oz (ouch!) I didn;t feel a thing when they made the cut but was sore for a few weeks after!

I had only gas and air and pethidine but this time I am going to try and manage without either cos the gas made me feel sick and the pethidine made me feel out of control. I really don't fancy an epidural cos I am scared of needles and just don't like the idea of them. It is all a matter of personal choice though!

I must admit to being a bit

about the whole thing so far!!

teeny-j · Mar 26th, 2009, 12:22 PM

not everyone needs to get cut. my bro and sis in law have 4 kids. smallest one was 9lb 8oz and the biggest was 11lb 4oz and she managed all 4 without getting cut. shes not a big person either. just a pitty my bro is 6ft 6 and throws big babies!!!!

golcarlilly · Mar 26th, 2009, 12:27 PM

I am hoping that DD has paved the way for this one to slip out easily

mind you it was 15 years ago!!

Babydearest · Mar 26th, 2009, 22:56 PM

Are there any pelvic exercises we can do pre-delivery to maximise chances of avoiding an episiotomy, or is it just pure chance?

Waiting4Baby · Mar 26th, 2009, 23:36 PM

I don't know about exercises, but I've heard about how you're supposed to message your vagina before giving birth... supposedly it'll help you stretch better.

Or did my bf just say that because he wants to message it??

aidensxmomma · Mar 27th, 2009, 00:05 AM

There's massages you can do, but you usually don't start them until the third trimester. I can't think of the name of the massages offhand though. I'm loosing my mind already. lol.

Not everyone needs an episiotomy or tears. I didn't need/do either of them. Granted, I had a small 6lb, 6oz baby.

Tacey · Mar 27th, 2009, 02:29 AM

Perineal massage is the thing they recommend- but as Waiting4baby says, not until the third trimester. There's loads of information online about it if you do a search.

sarah_george · Mar 27th, 2009, 02:54 AM

Hi hun, i think its normal to be anxious about the birth specially around the stage your at, by the time you get nearer the end nature has a funny way of preparing you for the birth, you will be feeling that squashed and fed up you will be willing it out lol xxx

MummyToAmberx · Mar 27th, 2009, 04:56 AM

I had 1 tear, which was only due to the fact amber had her bloody hand on her ear on the way out. silly girl, otherwise i would have been fine, she was 8lb 10oz

x

Mar 26th, 2009, 11:47 AM	#1
Babydearest Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 177	Pondering deliver I know it's still early days, but I can't seem to stop thinking about the actual delivery. This is my first pregnancy, and tbh I've been afraid of childbirth eversince I was traumatised by all the gruesome details we once learnt in school. Also, I've very chicken with it comes to pain tolerance. So far, I am leaning towards natural delivery (with epidural) because I feel that the pain afterwards will be more tolerable than a c-section. Besides, I am hoping the epidural will work miracles (at least better than pure natural). However, I'm really confused about the fact that some women 'tear' and don't 'tear' down there. I always thought that all natural deliveries are done with a 'slit' down there to facilitate the exit of the baby. Or is it possible to have a natural without having the get cut? Would our thingies be able to expand that much? What's an episiotomy?? Sorry for so many questions. I am really curious and would love to hear anyone's opinions and experiences!

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2009, 12:15 PM	#2
golcarlilly Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Posts: 10,441	An episiotomy is the cut they make to avoid you tearing (which can be worse than the cut!) I had to have one cos my DD was 9lb 10 oz (ouch!) I didn;t feel a thing when they made the cut but was sore for a few weeks after! I had only gas and air and pethidine but this time I am going to try and manage without either cos the gas made me feel sick and the pethidine made me feel out of control. I really don't fancy an epidural cos I am scared of needles and just don't like the idea of them. It is all a matter of personal choice though! I must admit to being a bit about the whole thing so far!!

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2009, 12:22 PM	#3
teeny-j Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: aberdeenshire, scotland Posts: 365	not everyone needs to get cut. my bro and sis in law have 4 kids. smallest one was 9lb 8oz and the biggest was 11lb 4oz and she managed all 4 without getting cut. shes not a big person either. just a pitty my bro is 6ft 6 and throws big babies!!!!

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2009, 12:27 PM	#4
golcarlilly Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Posts: 10,441	I am hoping that DD has paved the way for this one to slip out easily mind you it was 15 years ago!!

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Mar 26th, 2009, 22:56 PM	#5
Babydearest Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 177	Are there any pelvic exercises we can do pre-delivery to maximise chances of avoiding an episiotomy, or is it just pure chance?

Status: Offline

Mar 26th, 2009, 23:36 PM	#6
Waiting4Baby Pregnant (Expecting) Inactive Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SJ Valley, California, US Posts: 818	I don't know about exercises, but I've heard about how you're supposed to message your vagina before giving birth... supposedly it'll help you stretch better. Or did my bf just say that because he wants to message it??

Status: Offline

Mar 27th, 2009, 00:05 AM	#7
aidensxmomma Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wisconsin, U.S. Posts: 2,874	There's massages you can do, but you usually don't start them until the third trimester. I can't think of the name of the massages offhand though. I'm loosing my mind already. lol. Not everyone needs an episiotomy or tears. I didn't need/do either of them. Granted, I had a small 6lb, 6oz baby.

Status: Offline

Mar 27th, 2009, 02:29 AM	#8
Tacey Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: UK Posts: 3,829	Perineal massage is the thing they recommend- but as Waiting4baby says, not until the third trimester. There's loads of information online about it if you do a search.

Status: Offline

Mar 27th, 2009, 02:54 AM	#9
sarah_george Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Midlands Posts: 2,120	Hi hun, i think its normal to be anxious about the birth specially around the stage your at, by the time you get nearer the end nature has a funny way of preparing you for the birth, you will be feeling that squashed and fed up you will be willing it out lol xxx

Status: Offline

Mar 27th, 2009, 04:56 AM	#10
MummyToAmberx Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 11,180	I had 1 tear, which was only due to the fact amber had her bloody hand on her ear on the way out. silly girl, otherwise i would have been fine, she was 8lb 10oz x

Status: Offline

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