Have a look on that:
http://www.givingbirthnaturally.com/...pisiotomy.html
http://www.childbirthconnection.org/...e.asp?ck=10004
and honestly hundred other websites. One only needs to google: "episiotomy rates" or "episiotomy recommendations" to see that neither the routine use is recommended, nor the natural tearing is considered more dangerous. And, btw, Lancet mentiones the research actually performed, read it through before rejecting it. It's also one of the most respected medical journals in the world, so they wouldn't just publish one man's opinion on the topic...
Nowhere have I said that episiotomy is always unjustified! All that I'm saying is that is a surgical procedure that should be strictly limited to the cases where the baby needs to be taken out immediately ect.

Some would say that about a c-section.

I got both.

An episiotomy of 5 cm length

A c-section of 10 cm length.


In my case, the episiotomy was more painful, more destructive physically and mentally.

I started this thread because I was looking at an alternative. For me, it was the best decision I could have taken and I don't regret it for a second! But I also asked a lot about it, to other women, here and outside, to my doctor and I made tons of researches too.

For me, it was the best! I understand it is not for everyone and I believe it shouldn't be used as a regular procedure like in Istanbul where 95% of birth are by c-section. I got the link somewhere on this thread.

If someone wishes to be cut either way, it's non of my business, but one shouldn't be forced to undergo them. My wish to have a c-section is indeed a personal wish only, can be called egoistic and stupid, I don't care... but it has nothing to do with the medical recommendations for the limited use of episiotomy :/ And coming back to the topic, I guess every women have different feelings about c-section. For those, who do not cope well with the pain, natural birth with an epidural is certainly a better option. We are all different, though Btw, my biggest wish at the moment is not to feel sick and worried for 5 minutes and if I make it through this difficult pregnancy, no birth whatsoever should be scary

Exactly - and this is even more important for major surgery, as in a C-section with a full anaesthetic, cut into layers of muscle, etc, surely.

As you said, each to their own. Let's not make this into a 'right or wrong' issue, but there is no question that a C-section is a much more invasive and serious surgery that an episiotomy. I totally agree however that an episiotomy should be only if it is necessary, not routine. Bonne chance.
Hope you feel better soon.

Nil, your case was unfortunate- and in YOUR case the c-section turned out preferable to the disastrous episiotomy experience you had - but such cases are rare (fortunately).

Not anymore. C-section are local anesthesia performed similarly of an epidural and no muscles are cut anymore. Muscles are pulled each side of the incision.

Well, and it's also quite important (to me only) that the c-section scar does not influence the sexual life...

I understand this of course, but I can assure you it does not in most cases. I can vouch for that A ceasarian scar and the deep tissue disturbance (yes you are right Nil they dont cut through muscle, but they do have to pull apart and stretch and cut into the uterus of course) can certainly interfere with sex for a long time in many cases (I can vouch for that too )

As said, lets not make this into a right or wrong - and agree to disagree, with eyes fully opened. Bonne chance.

For me, it was the opposite. Cut inside out of the vagina, loss of sensitivity and elasticity of the skin gave me lots of miserable experiences.

It took time and went back to normal but only after lots of pain and tears.

My c scar is soft, neat and painless. I love it, really.