Re: Delivery Question ..
Like everyone said, let it happen naturally, a 1st or 2nd degree tear can also get repaired very nicely. I am SO SO SO SO glad I'm a guy.
Re: Delivery Question ..
I have had 4 deliveries.
First..small episiotomy ( few incisions, heeled well)
Second..no episiotomy …major 3rd degree tear (delivered in UK by midwife)
Third … episiotomy..babies head huge.. terrible pain/healing in vaginal area after birth
Fourth… no episiotomy, as there was no time, baby head quite large. The best post partum recovery I have ever had, rapid recovery time, no stitches, and no pain after delivery.
After my experiences, I would not recommend an episiotomy. I cannot believe how quickly I recovered after my 4th delivery, and I know it was due to my not having the episiotomy. However each delivery case is unique. Some may require it, some may not.
As women we under estimate what our bodies can and cannot handle.
Re: Delivery Question ..
I dreamt about this.
And thought, hey I didn’t tear! I need to tell CB!! 
Re: Delivery Question ..
sigh!
Re: Delivery Question ..
First delivery was completely natural..no episiotomy, no natural tears, no epidural. Total active labor of about 3 hours. 4 pushes and he was out.
With the twins…omg..refer to post 10 
Re: Delivery Question ..
What everyone is saying is true. You should never ask for an episiotomy upfront. In fact, if this was 30 years ago, most women would be getting one because they were routine at that time. Nowdays, it is very rare that a doctor will give you an episiotomy unless there is a real NEED for it.
My daughter was being stubborn and after pushing so hard for 2 hours she still refused to come out so they had to use the vaccum to get her out. Normally when they use the vaccum they perform an episiotomy in order to reduce resistance from the vaginal opening and allow delivery with less force applied to baby’s head.
I really did not want one and had told the doctor and nurses this upfront. They assured me they would NOT give me one unless they absolutely felt it was necessary. In the end, it was necessary and I ended up getting one.
I had a 2nd degree tear with the episiotomy and it really wasn’t as bad as everyone told me it would be. My co-workers that had gotten epiosiotomies literally scared the living daylights out of me when they described how painful it was. Mine was no where near as painful and after just 2 weeks of giving birth I felt totally fine “down there.”
In the end, it is best you don’t get one, but if for some reason the doctor determines you need one, trust your doctor and let them do their job.