QUESTION: With the arrival day for my first baby fast approaching, it seems that all the conversations with my girl friends now turn to the "cut" the doctor may make during the birthing.
Can you tell me the scientific name for it, and explain its use? Does it cause a lot of pain?
ANSWER: When a delivery can be helped by providing a bit more room for the baby's head to pass, a physician may elect to perform an "episiotomy".
The term is from a Greek word "epision" describing the region of the pubes and it is through this area that an incision is made.
There are several advantages to the procedure, as it can allow a quicker and easier birth and reduce pressure on the baby's head.
Since the forces pushing the baby through the birth canal are powerful enough to both stretch and tear vaginal tissues, making a clean surgical cut at the appropriate moment avoids the complications that torn tissue can provoke.
With all else that is going on at that moment, many women are unaware that the "cut" has been made.
After the birth the incision is repaired as with any other surgical incision and permitted to heal.
While the swelling and pain passes in a few days to a week, the area may remain tender for a month or so.
Total healing is usually completed in about six weeks.
The mainstay of care is hygiene, keeping the area clean and free from any possible contaminating elements that cause irritation or infection.
Your own physician will guide you through this period as well as counseling you about resuming normal activities and relations.
The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician.
Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.
