Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhen Is It Needed?What Happens During It?Recovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
When Is It Needed?
What Happens During It?
Recovery
This article provides details about when episiotomies may be needed, along with how they are performed, and recovery details.
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Know Your RightsAn episiotomy is only performed on people giving birth. While this procedure used to be routine, it now is used less frequently because of the risks and possible long-term complications. An episiotomy should be performed only when the person giving birth clearly understands the procedure and its risks.
Know Your Rights
An episiotomy is only performed on people giving birth. While this procedure used to be routine, it now is used less frequently because of the risks and possible long-term complications. An episiotomy should be performed only when the person giving birth clearly understands the procedure and its risks.
When Is an Episiotomy Necessary?
Potential RisksThere are several potential risks of having an episiotomy. Possible risks include:Muscle tearsBleedingDamage to the rectumInfectionScarringPainful sexual intercourseLong-termurinary incontinence(leaking urine)Restricted movement
Potential Risks
There are several potential risks of having an episiotomy. Possible risks include:Muscle tearsBleedingDamage to the rectumInfectionScarringPainful sexual intercourseLong-termurinary incontinence(leaking urine)Restricted movement
There are several potential risks of having an episiotomy. Possible risks include:
Episiotomies are no longer routinely practiced because of the risks.An episiotomy may be considered in the following cases:
Is Episiotomy Better Than Tearing?The medical community now believes that tearing naturally during childbirth is better than having an episiotomy. Selective, rather than routine, episiotomies are associated with a lower risk of severe perineal trauma.
Is Episiotomy Better Than Tearing?
The medical community now believes that tearing naturally during childbirth is better than having an episiotomy. Selective, rather than routine, episiotomies are associated with a lower risk of severe perineal trauma.
As you prepare for childbirth, there are steps that you can take to lower your risk of tearing or requiring an episiotomy. To prevent tears, practice the following techniques whenpregnant:
What Happens During an Episiotomy
If you need an episiotomy, here is what you can expect.
Location
An episiotomy usually occurs in a labor and delivery hospital room during childbirth. It should not be performed at an outpatient center.
Medications
Your healthcare provider will numb the perineum area before performing an episiotomy, even if you have an epidural. A local numbing agent is injected into the perineum muscle and skin.
Before the Surgery
During the Procedure
During an episiotomy, the healthcare provider first numbs the area if there is no epidural.
The provider then makes a small incision from the opening of the vagina down the perineum.
The incision may be median or cut straight down the middle of the perineum. A mediolateral incision is made at an angle and lowers the risk of tearing the anus.
After the Procedure
Are Repeat Episiotomies Likely?If you have an episiotomy, your chances of needing another one during subsequent births increases. That said, you may be able to give birth without an episiotomy during your next delivery.
Are Repeat Episiotomies Likely?
If you have an episiotomy, your chances of needing another one during subsequent births increases. That said, you may be able to give birth without an episiotomy during your next delivery.
How Long Does It Take to Recover From an Episiotomy?
Recovery from an episiotomy can take several weeks. Fortunately, most people with episiotomies heal without complications.
Healing
After an episiotomy, your healthcare provider will instruct you on how to care for the incision area. Usually, thestitchesdo not need to be removed because they are absorbed.
While recovering from an episiotomy, you are also recovering from childbirth. You should not use tampons or have sexual intercourse for six weeks.
Coping With Recovery
It is common to experience pain after an episiotomy. After childbirth, ice packs help with swelling and pain. Ask your healthcare provider when you can take a warm bath—for most people, waiting until 24 hours after delivery is safe.
It is important to disinfect your bathtub before each bath. In addition to warm baths, over-the-counterAdvil (ibuprofen)may relieve pain.
The pain from an episiotomy can make having a bowel movement difficult. To preventconstipation, drink plenty of water and ask your healthcare provider about taking a stool softener. Eating a diet rich in fiber will also help.
When Is Constipation Considered an Emergency?
Long-Term Care
To help your perineum muscles heal from an episiotomy, perform Kegel exercises throughout the day. Also speak to your healthcare provider about pelvic floor physical therapy.
Most people recover from an episiotomy without serious complications. If your pain worsens or you develop new symptoms, such as incontinence, call your healthcare provider immediately.
When to Call Your Healthcare ProviderSee your provider if you develop any of these symptoms following an episiotomy:Severe painInability to have a bowel movementStitches break openFoul-smelling dischargeFever
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
See your provider if you develop any of these symptoms following an episiotomy:Severe painInability to have a bowel movementStitches break openFoul-smelling dischargeFever
See your provider if you develop any of these symptoms following an episiotomy:
Summary
An episiotomy is a minor surgical procedure to widen the vaginal opening during childbirth. The purpose is to prevent severe tearing during labor and delivery. Episiotomies were more common in the past but are now used only under specific clinical considerations.
To reduce the risk of needing an episiotomy, perform Kegel exercises and perineal massage while pregnant. The recovery process for an episiotomy may take several weeks. Most people recover without serious complications. Possible risks of an episiotomy include muscle tears, bleeding, infection, and long-term incontinence.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Episiotomy.He S, Jiang H, Qian X, Garner P.Women’s experience of episiotomy: a qualitative study from China.BMJ Open. 2020;10(7):e033354. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033354Jiang H, Qian X, Carroli G, Garner P.Selective versus routine use of episiotomy for vaginal birth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD000081. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000081.pub3Zilberman A, Sheiner E, Barrett O, Hamou B, Silberstein T.Once episiotomy, always episiotomy?Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018 Jul;298(1):121-124. doi: 10.1007/s00404-018-4783-8.MedlinePlus.Episiotomy - aftercare.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Episiotomy.He S, Jiang H, Qian X, Garner P.Women’s experience of episiotomy: a qualitative study from China.BMJ Open. 2020;10(7):e033354. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033354Jiang H, Qian X, Carroli G, Garner P.Selective versus routine use of episiotomy for vaginal birth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD000081. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000081.pub3Zilberman A, Sheiner E, Barrett O, Hamou B, Silberstein T.Once episiotomy, always episiotomy?Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018 Jul;298(1):121-124. doi: 10.1007/s00404-018-4783-8.MedlinePlus.Episiotomy - aftercare.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Episiotomy.He S, Jiang H, Qian X, Garner P.Women’s experience of episiotomy: a qualitative study from China.BMJ Open. 2020;10(7):e033354. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033354Jiang H, Qian X, Carroli G, Garner P.Selective versus routine use of episiotomy for vaginal birth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD000081. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000081.pub3Zilberman A, Sheiner E, Barrett O, Hamou B, Silberstein T.Once episiotomy, always episiotomy?Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018 Jul;298(1):121-124. doi: 10.1007/s00404-018-4783-8.MedlinePlus.Episiotomy - aftercare.
MedlinePlus.Episiotomy.
He S, Jiang H, Qian X, Garner P.Women’s experience of episiotomy: a qualitative study from China.BMJ Open. 2020;10(7):e033354. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033354
Jiang H, Qian X, Carroli G, Garner P.Selective versus routine use of episiotomy for vaginal birth.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;2(2):CD000081. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000081.pub3
Zilberman A, Sheiner E, Barrett O, Hamou B, Silberstein T.Once episiotomy, always episiotomy?Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018 Jul;298(1):121-124. doi: 10.1007/s00404-018-4783-8.
MedlinePlus.Episiotomy - aftercare.
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