Pregnancy can be quite overwhelming for most mothers and certainly can be terrifying during delivery. Some may think that delivering their baby would be easy with vaginal delivery compared to a C-section operation. The truth is, there is no easy way of telling which one is less painful than the other but one thing for sure is delivering a healthy baby would be the main aim for both mother and healthcare professionals involved. You may be wondering, how does a big head baby can get out through the small vaginal opening? Ask a doctor and you may be surprised to know that in most cases of delivery one may need an episiotomy to help the mother and baby safe.
Episiotomy is a minor surgery done to a mother during the process of childbirth. It is a cut or incision made in the perineum (the area in between the vaginal opening and the anus) to widen the vaginal opening. An episiotomy aims to relieve pressure on the perineum by making a repairable and controlled incision compared to an uncontrolled vaginal trauma that may happen during the childbirth process. It may sound quite intimidating for most mothers to hear this during a difficult delivery process or when suggested by healthcare professionals but rest assured that those performing episiotomy are usually well trained.
Although episiotomy is a minor surgery, just like other surgery or procedures that come with benefits, there is always risk that comes along. Below are 3 risks of an episiotomy:
1) Excessive bleeding. Since episiotomy involves incision, bleeding is inevitable. The cut may lead to a lot of bleeding at first but this should stop after pressure and stitches to close the cut. If you find yourself changing the sanitary pad or panties after an episiotomy, it is worth it to talk to your healthcare provider and understand if it is normal or abnormal bleeding.
2) Infection. Just as with any trauma, there are also chances of infection to the cut and stitches. Look out for signs of infections such as red swollen skin, discharge of pus or liquid from the cut or a foul unusual smell coming from the perineal area. Infections usually cause you to feel pain that would not go away even after taking painkillers. Be sure to keep track of these infection signs and should there be any such signs, do meet your healthcare provider to get yourself checked.
3) Pain during urination or sex. Pain may be felt for more than a month and it is common. This can be caused by the soreness and tearing site. Do take time to let the pain heals first before having any sexual intercourse. Talk to your healthcare provider if the pain persists for more than 2 months.
There are things you should do after an episiotomy to help reduce such risk. Taking painkillers prescribed by your healthcare provider can help give you comfort. You may want to try using cold compress to the perineum or taking warm shallow baths to make yourself feel better apart from subsiding the pain. Simple hygiene measures such as wiping the bottom or cleaning with water should be from front to the back to avoid bacteria from the anus area infecting the cuts and scars.
Episiotomy may not be avoided by 100 percent as indications for an episiotomy varies to one person and another. However, you can actually try to lessen the possibility of going through an episiotomy by:
1) Practising Kegel exercises
2) Massaging the perineum for the last few weeks before delivery due date
3) Pay attention to the midwife or doctor’s instructions during labour such as controlling the urge to push and control breathing by taking quick short breaths before blowing out through the mouth.
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