Episiotomy: Is That Cut or Tear During Childbirth Always Necessary?
If you or a family member had an episiotomy or a tear in your perineum during childbirth, you are not alone. An episiotomy is an intentional cut in the skin and muscle between your vagina and your anal opening. In certain circumstances this is appropriate during the last stage of childbirth to allow the baby's head and shoulders to come out quickly.
In other situations, the skin and muscle may tear during childbirth or as a result of the use of certain medical instruments, such as forceps or a vacuum pump, while the doctor or midwife is delivering your baby. These risks should be discussed with you prior to the childbirth so that you can make an informed decision about the best method of delivery of your baby.
Both tears and cuts usually require surgical repair after your baby is born. In most circumstances, the physician will repair the cut or tear with stitches. Research has shown that one continuous stitch is often less painful than several separate stitches.
You may also have to return to the doctor for review of the surgical site and for additional treatment. Some women experience other complications such as loss of control of their urine and/or bowel movements. These complications can be quite serious and can involve additional surgery and/or treatment.
According to Consumer Reports, more and more Obstetricians and Nurse Midwives are being trained to only make vaginal cuts during childbirth when they really have to and not as a matter of course.
There is medically accepted research to support the practice that cuts should only be made when needed and that if doctors and midwives are conservative about when the make these cuts more serious tears in hospitals will occur less often.
If you would like to learn more about care of these cuts and tears or more about the process in general, please talk to your Obstetrician or you can visit the Consumer Reports Medical Guide website to read more about this topic.