Episiotomy – The incision of the perineum
Description episiotomy
Episiotomy – incision of the perineum. Perineum – the area between the vagina and anus. It consists of a skin and muscles.
Causes of episiotomy
The incision is made, to broaden input the vagina during childbirth. Once it has been the usual procedure, but now it is used infrequently. Episiotomy may be needed, if:
- A child is born prematurely, or to ease the pressure on the baby caused by stretching the perineum;
- Child large and it can be hard to get;
- Needed forceps or vacuum extraction, to assist in the expulsion of the fetus.
Possible complications of episiotomy
Some short-term complications may include:
- Bleeding;
- Infection;
- Bruising;
- Swelling;
- The complexity of bowel control.
Factors, that may increase the risk of complications:
- Scar tissue in the perineum;
- The foregoing problems with chronic pain at the vulva;
- Short perineum.
How is an episiotomy?
Preparation for the procedure
During a prenatal visit, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of episiotomy.
Anesthesia
Before the procedure can be given local or spinal anesthesia. Usually, it depends on your desires and child safety. After giving birth, the doctor can enter a local anesthetic before closing the incision.
Procedure episiotomy
When the baby's head will start to stretch the vagina, the doctor will use special scissors, to make the incision 1-3 cm in the area between the vagina and anus.
After giving birth, the placenta and the doctor closes the incision bioresorbable sutures.
How long will episiotomy?
The procedure is done during labor rather quickly.
Episiotomy – Will it hurt?
If you receive local or epidural anesthesia, you will not feel pain during the procedure. After delivery, most women have discomfort and swelling occurs. Maybe, you have to take pain medication, to help control pain during recovery.
The average hospital stay
Typically, the length of stay for vaginal delivery is two days. Episiotomy does not extend the period of stay.
Care episiotomy
The stitches will dissolve after ten days. The cut will heal within about two weeks. May feel some soreness, until the skin is completely healed. It may take up to six weeks. At this time it can be uncomfortable to sit and walk. Peri care methods after episiotomy include:
- For the first 24 hours after birth can be applied to the surgical site ice packs, wrapped in a towel;
- Ask the doctor, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or to expose the cut by water;
- If doctors allowed, You can take a sitz bath several times a day. Usually warm baths are used, but cold, ice baths can reduce pain. Start with room temperature water and slowly add ice cubes to it. You can stay in the water 20-30 minutes;
- Do not strain during bowel movements. Your doctor may prescribe a laxative or stool softener;
- After going to the bathroom to wash using the shower head;
- Use a spray, Medicated Pads, or medicines prescribed by a doctor;
- If prescribed by a doctor, to do Kegel exercises. You just need to compress the muscles, you use, to stop the flow of urine. This strengthens the pelvic floor muscles and helps the perineum heal faster;
- Avoid sex, douches and tampons for 6 weeks or until the permission of doctors;
- Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
Contact your doctor episiotomy
After returning home, you need to see a doctor, If the following symptoms:
- Signs of infection, including fever, chills, edema, redness, pain, which does not decrease, or bad-smelling discharge or bleeding from the site of episiotomy;
- Pain, which does not pass upon receiving prescribed drugs;
- Continuing problems with bladder control or bowel.
