Why is this procedure done?
Sometimes, just before a baby is born, the opening of the vagina needs to be made bigger. The doctor may make a small cut in the skin and muscles of the perineum. Then, the vagina is big enough for the baby to pass through. The cut is called an episiotomy. The perineum is the area between the vagina and the anus. An episiotomy may be done if the: ‚
- Baby or mother is having problems. This will help to make childbirth faster.
- Head is too big to pass through the vaginal canal
- Babys feet are coming out of the vagina first
- Baby's shoulder gets stuck inside the vaginal wall
- Doctor needs to use special tools during childbirth
- Baby is already in the birth canal and a C-section is not an option
What will the results be?
Your perineum will be cut. Childbirth may become quicker and easier. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
If done as an emergency procedure, no preparations are needed. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- Most often you will be lying on your back in the delivery room. Your knees and legs will be bent.
- If you are not already numb, the doctor will inject a numbing drug into the walls of your vagina.
- The doctor will make a cut on your perineum when the baby is near the vaginal opening.
- After the baby is born, your doctor may give you another shot of a numbing drug. Then, the doctor will close the cut and any tears with absorbable stitches.
- The procedure takes about 5 minutes.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will stay in the Recovery Room for up to 2 hours after the procedure. You may have to stay in the hospital for 1 to 2 days. Your doctor will tell you when you can go home.
- You may have discomfort and numbness after the procedure. This may become more painful when the anesthesia wears off. Your doctor will give you drugs for this.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor will give you drugs for pain and to prevent infection. Take the drugs as ordered by your doctor.
- Passing urine may be painful after the repair. Avoid straining. Rinse your wound using a squirt bottle with water each time you use the bathroom.
- You may wash your vagina. Wash with mild soap and water. Do not pull on anything you feel coming out of your vagina. It might be the stitch used to close your wound.
- Take a sitz bath 3 to 4 times each day. Sit in 2 to 3 inches of warm water in the tub for 10 to 15 minutes each time. Carefully wipe your bottom afterwards.
- Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Do not leave the ice on more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
- Gently press a clean pad against your wound when you bear down for a bowel movement.
- Use a pillow or padded ring when you sit to make you more comfortable.
- Ask your doctor about using witch hazel pads to lower swelling.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Ask your doctor if you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds.
- Ask your doctor when you may return to normal activities like work, driving, or sex.
- If sex is still painful after your wound heals, use lubricants.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Swelling
- Scarring
- Pain during sex
- Pain when passing urine
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of wound infection. Signs include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Too much bloody vaginal discharge
- Bloody urine that does not go away after a week
- Pain not relieved by drugs
- Pain when passing urine that does not go away
- Wound does not heal
- Urine seems to be coming from another opening
Where can I learn more?
American Pregnancy Association ‚
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/episiotomy.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Episiotomy/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚