EPISIOTOMY BASICS

Episiotomy is a medical procedure where an incision is done between the vagina and the rectum (perineum) to widen the opening of the vagina to help deliver the baby, its is usually performed when your doctor or mid wife consider that your perineum is not stretched out as much as necessary to let the baby's head come through with ease and that you could possibly have a bad tear. The cut (incision) for an episiotomy goes straight down and normally does not involve the muscles in the region of the rectum or the rectum itself.

How’s an Episiotomy Done?

When the baby's head comes into sight, your midwife or doctor will ask for your go-ahead to carry out an episiotomy.
Your pelvic floor will be anesthetized and numbed with a local anesthesia. But if there is no enough time, injection will not be given as the stretching tissues are already numb during your delivery and don’t feel any pain.
At the climax of your contraction, a miniature cut at the bottom of the vagina will be given.
Either the midline cut – which begins from the bottom of the vagina and ends before the anus or the medio-lateral cut – which is similar to the midline cut that starts from the bottom of the vagina but goes slanting to avoid the anus are performed.
Once the baby and placenta are delivered, about a half hour process of stitching you up might take place as layers of muscle and skin require to be sewn back , it is a rather painful process so make sure you are given the local anesthesia.

Can Episiotomy be Prevented

Try to loosen up and relax your pelvic floor as much as possible during labor simply by doing the pelvic floor exercises. Take professional help suggestion of your doctor.
Keep an upright vertical posture during delivery.
Make an effort to push down for as long as it is possible as this will give your body the time to stretch and widen the vagina.
Putting a warm balmy flannel on your perineum during labor might help.
Giving a massage to the perineum with recommended creams and oils through pregnancy can facilitate softening the area, enabling it to stretch with ease during labor.

Ways to Reduce Discomfort

Stitches at the perineum after delivery usually dry up and dissolve after roughly 9-10 days, but the cut may still go on to hurt and might feel quite sore. The following methods could help:

Have a hot water bath with just common salt added, the stitches will heal faster.
Try and sit amid two pillows (one pillow supporting each buttock), so that the pressure and strain on the perineum is much lesser.
If the stitches hurt when you urinate, pour some warm water on the stitches as this will help dilute the acidity of the urine and stop hurting.
After urinating,, clean well with fresh water .
Keep the stitches hygienic and dry.

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