One of the most frequent questions we get asked is “What is an Episiotomy?”
Well this article written by Dr Juliet McGrattan (MBChB) over on NetDoctor explains everything brilliantly…
Babies heads are pretty big. When you give birth there’s a good chance your vagina will tear. Many tears are mild and heal up without any problems at all but around one third of women in the UK and US experience tears which are severe enough to need stitching.
The idea of having an episiotomy, where vaginal tissues are intentionally cut, may make your eyes water but there are situations when it is the best thing to do including the need to deliver baby quickly or preventing a larger, deeper spontaneous tear. Understanding why an episiotomy might be necessary and knowing how to look after your episiotomy after childbirth will mean you’re well prepared should you find yourself in this position.
To put your mind at ease Dr Juliet McGrattan explains everything you need to know about the procedure including episiotomy risks, aftercare and recovery tips: