You haven’t seen your baby’s head yet even after you push? A procedure is done to make your vaginal open larger for your baby to slide out.
Episiotomy
✂️What is an episiotomy?
Episiotomy is an incision through the perineum between the vaginal opening and the anus meant to enlarge the vagina and create more space for your baby’s head to come out.✂️ Episiotomy speeds up delivery and prevents perineal tears especially if this is your first vaginal delivery.😃
✂️When do you need an episiotomy?
Episiotomy is not done routinely unless you really need it.😃 If your baby is stressed due to lack of oxygen and low heart rate❤️, complicated birth positions such as trapped shoulders, or big head size, the doctor might suggest doing an episiotomy. If you have a preterm baby or undergo forceps or vacuum delivery, an episiotomy is also recommended to protect you and your baby.👶
Disadvantages of episiotomy
✂️Further tearing
You can tear further through both skin and muscle layers, into the rectal tissues and anal sphincter muscle. The tear might become more severe, lead to perineal tears and affect pelvic floor muscles.😣 You may also find it hard to control your bowel movement and gas.
✂️Bleeding
You’re more likely to lose more blood🩸 at the time of delivery or even have a collection of blood in the perineal tissues. You will feel more pain during recovery. Hence, you might need to wait a bit longer for the incision to heal before you can have sex without discomfort.🙆♀️
✂️Infection and swelling
Since the cut is widely open, if not hygienic, you are prone to infection and swelling as bacteria🦠 can invade your vagina. You have an increased risk of tearing in the next birth if you just receive an episiotomy for your first child. Other physical long-term results are feasible too.😟
The recovery from an episiotomy
After you just have had an episiotomy, the cut is sealed with dissolvable stitches in a very tender area, and you’ll need some time to heal.😃 An ice pack🧊 may reduce swelling and pain. A warm bath🛀 might help you relax better, ease soreness and accelerate healing.
Your doctor might recommend some pain relievers that are breastfeeding friendly and stool softener to counteract the pain. Make sure to keep the incision clean and dry all the time to prevent infection.👩⚕️