Childbirth can be quite unpredictable, so it is very important to take a responsible approach to choosing a doctor you can trust.
A common situation is when during the delivery it is required to make a decision about carrying out an episiotomy.
Episiotomy - what is it?
Episiotomy is nothing more than surgical intervention in the natural process of delivery, namely, the perineal incision, which is performed at the discretion of the obstetrician-gynecologist. Births with episiotomy are often enough, indications for them can be:
- a greater threat of arbitrary tearing of the perineum;
- pelvic presentation of the child;
- the so-called "high" crotch, when the distance between the entrance to the vagina and the anus is 7-8 cm or more;
- a decrease in the duration of the second birth period, viz. bleeding, increased blood pressure, fetal hypoxia, weak labor;
- premature delivery;
- the need to apply forceps or a vacuum extractor.
Depending on the technique of carrying out episiotomy, an episiotomy and perineotomy are distinguished. In the first case, an episiotomy is a perineal incision in the side at an angle of 45 degrees. In the second - the incision is made on the middle line from the vagina to the anus. Recovery after episiotomy passes somewhat worse, more painfully, the seams heal more slowly, but this incision is safer, as perineotomy can cause a rupture of the perineum up to the damage to the rectum. What method is preferred by the doctor chosen, guided by the situation and the individual characteristics of the parturient woman and the fetus.
How do episiotomy?
A set of indications for episiotomy is already clear to us. If the situation develops as a critical one, then it is impossible to avoid an episiotomy. Many women are immediately interested in the question, but is it painful to do an episiotomy? The point is that the incision is performed during one of the attempts, when the tissues are sufficiently strained, and there is practically no circulation in them, there is a loss of pain sensitivity. Therefore, episiotomy in the process of childbirth - it does not hurt at all. Other things are in the postpartum period. During the application of stitches, a woman may experience severe pain, so before a damage is restored, local anesthesia should be performed.
Consequences of episiotomy
Episiotomy, of course, can and is a necessity in some cases, but nevertheless has a number of negative consequences for the woman in labor:
- a woman after episiotomy needs special care;
- in the first days the seam from the episiotomy can disperse;
- sit after an episiotomy is strictly prohibited for about two weeks, or even more;
- constant sensation of pain in the crotch;
- burning with urination;
- in the most unfavorable cases, urinary incontinence, muscle failure, omission and prolapse of genital organs may occur;
- the possibility of edema, infection of the wound is not ruled out;
- a scar after an episiotomy can bring discomfort when resuming intimate relationships.
Episiotomy - treatment
In order to avoid the consequences after episiotomy as much as possible, it is necessary to follow carefully the doctor's recommendations regarding the fastest healing of the joints, namely:
- as often as possible to change the gasket;
- to wash the perineum after each visit to the toilet;
- make air baths;
- monitor food to avoid constipation;
- walk more to improve blood circulation in this area;
- handle the joints twice a day.
Second birth after episiotomy is not necessarily a repetition of the first. If you take timely measures to avoid episiotomy, it is quite possible to give birth naturally without any surgical interventions. The main thing is to take care of the elasticity of the tissues in this area in advance with the help of special exercises and massage using various oils.