What You Need to Know Before Giving Birth About Episiotomy

Nervous For Your Labour?

Giving birth is a significant and often challenging event for women. One of the concerns that many women have during childbirth is tearing or other damage to the perineal area. To prevent this, doctors may use episiotomy, a procedure that involves making a small cut in the vaginal opening to widen it. Although it is not as commonly performed as it once was, there are still instances when a doctor may recommend an episiotomy.

In this article, we'll cover what episiotomy is, when it's necessary, the procedure itself, and how to care for yourself after the procedure.

What Is An Episiotomy?

Do you know that area between your vagina and your anus? Yeah, that area is called the perineum. When you are giving birth, sometimes the baby’s head is too big for your vaginal opening to handle.

That's when your doctor might make a surgical incision down there to make more room for your baby to come out. And don't worry, they'll make sure to numb the area first, so you won't feel pain. Afterward, you'll have some stitches to heal!

Doctors generally encourage natural tearing of the vagina during birth, but there are specific situations where this procedure becomes necessary.

Why Might I Need An Episiotomy?

Your doctor will always have your best interests in mind and will only suggest an episiotomy if it's necessary for a safe and healthy delivery.

Some cases where you might need an episiotomy are:

• If you're exhausted and dehydrated from prolonged labour
• Sometimes, your doctor needs to use forceps or a vacuum to help deliver the baby. In these cases, an episiotomy may be necessary to make your vagina wider.
• If you've been pushing for too long or can't control your pushing.
• If the baby is experiencing fetal distress and doesn't have enough oxygen.
• In complicated deliveries, such as when the infant is positioned bottom- or feet-first (breech), or when the baby's shoulders are stuck (shoulder dystocia).
• If you're having a large baby or a preterm baby

How Is An Episiotomy Performed?

So, during an episiotomy, your doctor or midwife will numb the skin around your perineal area with an anaesthetic, so you don't feel any pain.

They'll then use surgical scissors to cut through the skin and muscle layers. After the birth, you'll need stitches to close the cut.

You might feel a bit sore once the anaesthetic wears off. But don't worry we will tell you how you can make healing easier!

Healing After An Episiotomy

It typically takes about a month to fully heal from an episiotomy or natural tear, though the recovery time can vary depending on the extent of the injury. Your stitches will usually dissolve on their own in 1-2 weeks.

Pain and soreness are common during the first few weeks. To help ease your discomfort during the recovery process, consider trying this tip:

• Apply an ice pack or cold gel pack to the incision area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. This can be very effective in the first 24 to 72 hours after birth.
• Apply witch-hazel pads to the perineal area.
• Sit on a pillow or use special cushions if sitting is uncomfortable.
• Try sitting in a warm, shallow water bath. You will even find special basins made for this!
• Clean your genitals with warm water from a squeeze bottle while on the toilet. Pat dry when finished.
• Try breastfeeding while lying on your side to avoid putting pressure on your perineum.

Remember it's important to keep your doctor informed about your recovery progress and pain levels.

If your pain worsens or you experience a fever or notice pus from the wound, it's important to contact your doctor. These could be signs of an infection, so seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Conclusion

In conclusion, communicating with your doctor about episiotomy is important during prenatal visits and labour.

Although it's best to have an open mind and trust the natural process of childbirth, there are instances where an episiotomy may be necessary for your and your baby’s safety.

Your doctor will respect your wishes and make the best decision for your individual situation.