These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

Toshi, age 27: I really didn't want to be cut when I delivered my baby. I did regular perineal massage during my last 6 weeks of pregnancy and found a midwife who did not like to do episiotomies as a rule. I had a small tear, but it healed in a couple of weeks.

Maria, age 29: I have been preparing for childbirth by doing Kegel exercises and perineal massage. And I plan to use hot packs during delivery to help avoid tearing. I hope to avoid being cut, but I do not want to have any tearing.

Bernice, age 28: My first baby was 2 weeks overdue and quite large. I didn't have an episiotomy, and I had no tearing. I read up on the topic early in my pregnancy and ended up changing to a different hospital because it had a lower rate of episiotomies.

Carly, age 26: I would like to avoid tearing, but I would rather tear naturally than have an episiotomy. I only want to be cut if the baby needs to be born quickly because of a problem. I'm hoping that my doctor does not offer to do an episiotomy to “speed things up” for me, because I may be impatient then and agree to something I may regret later.

Saleema, age 35: I am working toward my third totally natural childbirth. I always tell my midwife not to do an episiotomy unless my baby is in trouble. I have never had a tear in the past, but if I do, I believe that it will cause me less pain and will heal faster than an episiotomy would.