Thank you all for your wonderful responses. It has cemented in my mind that when I do fall pregnant again, I will be well and truly birthing with MY body. I accept that there is a risk, but hey, there is a risk mopping your floor, walking across a road, watching a storm... :) I just have to reassure my poor husband that I can do this. That we can do this.
I wish I could have spoken to the midwives who were there. Sort of a de-briefing would have been good... -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@;acegraphics.com.au]On Behalf Of Robyn Thompson Sent: Wednesday, 13 November 2002 11:07 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Julia's birth I support this Vicki have not seen a 3rd/4th degree tear since I moved out of the hospital system 20 odd years ago. Have sutured a few 2nd degree tears, but most small tears heal themselves. Women who have had previous episiotomy followed by a perineum without trauma or a small tear the next time tell me that their perineum feels 'much better now' and their sex life is much more comfortable. The enormous amount of scar tissue remaining from episiotomy must be very traumatic. The Obstetricians may think they are preserving the perineum but what for?? What does preserving this wonderful female birthing muscle mean?? If rest, good nutrition and when appropriate exercise are part of post birth recovery and forced or encouraged 'pushing' is minimised/eliminated and women are assisted to breath their baby over the perineum then the perineal muscle returns to a very good state of health and strength. Of course it will never be exactly the same, just as body shape changes after birth so does the perineum. regards, Robyn -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@;acegraphics.com.au]On Behalf Of Vicki Chan Sent: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 11:25 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] Julia's birth Isis... Over the years attending women birth at home, I have never seen a third or fourth degree tear...rarely there has been a sizable second degree, sometimes a small tear, and mostly an intact perineum... Of my clientele, there have been several women with past very serious damage... Third degree tears,5 previous episiotomies, a 'shattered'perineum...all these women birthed gently (and ne'er the word'"push"to be heard) with beautiful unharmed bodies.... There are no guarantees...there is more át risk'here than your pelvic floor...there is more to you than your pelvic floor...what is important to you? What really matters? listen to your body and your heart...they will guide you where you need to go...only you can know what is best for you. I wish you well... Vicki -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@;acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of Andrea Quanchi Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2002 3:15 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [ozmidwifery] Julia's birth Isis, The bit about tearing worse the next time is rubbish. So continue to trust your instincts and birth your way with your chosen midwife next time and you'll be fine. I too had a bad tear the first time, was talked into an elective epis the second time and had a smaller tear the third time. Even the third degree tear healed better and was less painful than the episiotomy. I agree that the stranded beatle position wouldn't have helped and so that is the thing to avoid next time. Andrea Q -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe. -- This mailing list is sponsored by ACE Graphics. Visit <http://www.acegraphics.com.au> to subscribe or unsubscribe.
