Episiotomy
(Special Delivery)
An episiotomy may be needed if
- The baby is breech
- The baby is premature
- The baby has a big head
- The baby is distressed
- You have an assisted delivery
- You are having difficulties in pushing
- The skin around the vaginal opening has not stretched enough.
The Process
- The pelvic area will be numbed with a local anesthesia
- A small cut is made from the bottom of the vagina slightly out to one side at the peak of a contraction
- An injection may not be given when sometimes the stretching of the tissues numbs the area so
- Stitching after an episiotomy may be difficult and painful as the different layers of the skin and the muscles have to be sewn together. Ask for more anesthesia if needed
- The stitches are soluble and need not be removed
Effects
- Some discomfort and soreness is normal after an episiotomy.
- Sometimes an infection can develop which makes the pain severe
- The wound takes up to 14 days to heal
- In case the soreness doesn’t go by this time, consult your doctor.
- There is less pain with a tear
How to avoid episiotomy or tear
- Learn how to relax your pelvic muscles: Lie on your back, with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Now tighten the muscles squeezing as if stopping urine. Imagine you are pulling something into your vagina, pulling it in slightly then pausing then pulling again until you can go no further. Hold for a moment then let go gradually. Repeat ten times.
- Keep upright during delivery: Some hospitals perform episiotomies more than the others. Speak to your doctor about the trends in your hospital.
Episiotomy Risks
Episiotomy may result in a few different complications, including:
- Infection
- Large tears from the incision that may extend through the anus
- Bleeding and perineal hematoma, a collection of blood in the perineal tissues
- Painful intercourse
- Perineal pain
Episotomy is a normal performed by doctors. Do not worry if you have undergone the same .The incision resolves within a few days and you will observe healing soon after it.
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