Can You Avoid An Episiotomy During Childbirth?

If you are expecting, you may be afraid of the incisions that may enlarge the outer opening of the genitals during childbirth. However, many experts suggest limiting the use of this practice, except when absolutely necessary. In this article, we give you some tips to avoid having an episiotomy during childbirth.

What is an episiotomy?

An episiotomy means that a small incision is made in the woman’s perineum between the vagina and the rectum, where the baby’s head begins to appear. The incision extends the opening by 3-4 centimeters to make it easier for the baby to get out.

This practice began to avoid muscle cracks in the groin during childbirth, and it has therefore become a routine in many places.

How to avoid an episiotomy during childbirth?

You can protect the crotch area by placing warm clothes over it. Massage of the groin with oils and Kegel exercises are also recommended during the last six weeks of pregnancy.

Some specialists such as Asunción Gómez, a physiotherapist and midwife, believe that as long as the crotch is healthy and integrated into the body’s schedule, the risk is lower. In addition, you have to let it unfold slowly and naturally.

To avoid an episiotomy during childbirth, use the help of a midwife. This helps provide the most natural birth so that incisions in the crotch only happen when absolutely necessary.

This promotes a natural birth and the fewest possible surgical interventions. Another option to consider is a water birth, which usually reduces pain and incisions in the groin.

Kegel exercises

With Kegel exercises, you contract and relax the muscles in the pelvic floor. One way to do this is by sitting on the toilet with your legs spread and stopping to urinate at 5 second intervals. One should then start urinating again without moving the legs and while breathing gently.

One should repeat this exercise 10 times and several times during the day. If possible, you can increase the relaxation and contraction time until you reach 20 seconds.

The purpose is to strengthen the muscles in the groin so that they become more resistant and elastic. A pregnant woman can therefore relax in that area and create flexibility, so that you achieve a good extension when the baby is on its way out.

This makes the baby’s head easier to get out of, and you can thus avoid an episiotomy during birth.

Prenatal massage in the groin area

One can perform these massage routines in the third trimester of pregnancy. The best time to do this is after a shower.

Lubricate the entire meat area with rosehip or almond oil. One should massage the area in a U-shape with the thumbs while pressing a little downwards and outwards. One should repeat this movement until one feels a slight burning sensation.

When you make these movements at regular intervals, it will soften and stretch the tissue so that it increases the elasticity of the crotch. It also prepares the pregnant woman for the feelings of tension and pressure she will experience during childbirth.

When to perform an episiotomy?

An episiotomy should be performed when there is a risk of fetal distress, during complicated births, or if the woman has experienced vaginal tears during previous births.

If the middle flesh is cut correctly and sewn together precisely, then the healing is simple. The discomfort will only be present for a few days and the stitches will fall out by themselves.

To relieve discomfort, you can place warm and damp cloths in the area and maintain good hygiene habits. When washing the wound, let it dry and cover it as often as possible. You should also avoid astringent foods.