(Perineum Incision; Incision, Perineum)
Definition
Definition
The perineum is the area between the vagina and the anus. It is made up of skin and muscle. During an episiotomy, an incision is made in the perineum.
Reasons for Procedure
Reasons for Procedure
The incision is made to make the vaginal opening larger during birth. In the past, this incision was common. But it is no longer routinely done.
Your doctor may do an episiotomy if:
-
The baby is:
- Premature or otherwise fragile
- Large and the shoulders may be hard to deliver
- Forceps or a vacuum are needed to assist in the delivery
Possible Complications
Possible Complications
Some short-term complications may include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Difficulty controlling your bowels
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
- Severe scar tissue in the area
- Prior problems with chronic pain in the vulva
- Short perineum
What to Expect
What to Expect
Prior to Procedure
During a prenatal visit, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of an episiotomy.
Anesthesia
If you have not had epidural anesthesia during labor, the doctor may use local or regional anesthesia.
Description of the Procedure
The infant’s head will start to stretch the vaginal opening. Special scissors will be used to make an incision in the perineum area.
There are two different incisions that may be used:
- Midline incision: starts at the vagina and follows a straight line to the anus
- Mediolateral: starts at the vagina and continues at an angle
Midline vs. Mediolateral EpisiotomyCopyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.
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After delivery of the baby and placenta, your doctor will close the incision with absorbable stitches.
How Long Will It Take?
This is done during childbirth.
Will It Hurt?
If you receive anesthesia, you will not feel pain during the procedure. After delivery, most women have discomfort and swelling. You may need to take pain medication.
Average Hospital Stay
The usual length of stay for vaginal delivery is two days. An episiotomy will not extend your stay.
Postoperative Care
Your stitches will dissolve in about 10 days. The cut will heal within about two weeks. There may still be some soreness until the skin gets its natural strength back. This could take up to six weeks. During that time, you may find it uncomfortable to sit or walk.
While you recover:
- When your doctor tells you to, do Kegel exercises. Simply squeeze the muscles you use to stop the flow of urine. This strengthens the pelvic floor and can help the area heal faster.
- Avoid having sex, douching, and using tampons for six weeks or as directed by your doctor.
Call Your Doctor
Call Your Doctor
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occur:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills, swelling, redness, foul-smelling discharge
- Pain that you cannot control with the medications you have been given
- Bleeding from the episiotomy site
- Continuing problems with loss of urinary or bowel control
In case of an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.
RESOURCES:
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http://www.acog.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Women’s Health Matters http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca
References:
http://www.brighamandwomens.org/departments_and_services/obgyn/services/midwifery/patient/episiotomies.aspx
Accessed September 24, 2014.
Episiotomy. ACOG practice bulletin No. 71. Obstet Gynecol. 2006;107:957-962.
Episiotomy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/episiotomy.html
Updated May 2014. Accessed September 24, 2014.
Last Updated: 9/24/2014