I'd refuse an episiotomy. I'd rather tear naturally, it heals faster. Also what if I'm cut for no reason? I may not even tear and they'd cut me anyways? No thanks! I talked to my dr about it though and she said they don't really do episiotomies.

@mommy122015, Honestly you don't have to use anything. My husband does them for me, it would be hard for me to reach if I tried on my own. He just uses his fingers

@missyowl92, what do you use for the perineum massages?

I'm planning a water birth and I've been doing a lot of kegal exercises and perineum massages so I'll be more flexible down there. I don't think I'm gonna tear but if it were to happen if rather it happen naturally. I don't want my doctor going anywhere near there with a pair of scissors.

I tore with my first and second it sucked when I had to pee but it healed fast in like 3 or 4 weeks

I'm glad I read this thread! It really helped me on making a decision myself. Thank you ladies!

wow. I'm a midwife and would never recommended that! always better to tear naturally, your body sends signals to the wound faster to heal and you heal faster. plus, you always have the chance of not tearing at all, so to cut you for no legitimate reason is absurd.

I tore naturally with my first. It was only a second degree. I healed quite nicely. I've told my OB to not cut me this time around either unless absolutely necessary.

I would rather tear naturally if anything must be damaged. IF I needed an episiotomy I wouldn't bat an eye though.

the way I see it is I would get cut and have a nice clean cut that can be stitched easy than having a third degree tear all the way to my butt hole... that isn't very easy to stitch. irk though. I'm a ftm so idk how often tearing happens

I haven't been cut, but I did tear. I had a 2cd degree tear and was healed pretty good by 5-6 weeks. It sucks either way it seems like, but I'd just go ahead and tear. That sounds awful I know. 😂

My first daughter they did the episiotomy. my second daughter I tore the look on my mother and daughters father face scared the hell out of me but I healed well both times

Natural tearing heals faster :) I didn't tear my perineum with my first (I tore slightly on my vaginal wall) so I'm glad I wasn't cut! Sometimes it's medically necessary. Definitely do some research ;)

My sister told the doctor if he sees her about to rip to just cut her before she rips. And she ended up getting three cuts... One down and one on the left and right

@mommy122015, my doctor said she never does episiotomies unless is absolutely required. She said that natural tears heal faster and better. I had two 2nd degree tears and they were healed by 5 weeks if not less.

I tore a little my doctor was going to cut me but the hell with that. I think it would hurt way worse being cut than it naturally happening. Turns out I only needed one stitch