what is an episiotomy ?

Question

and what are the pro's and con's ?
thanks

Answer 1

ARGH! Episiotomies do NOT prevent tearing! That is a *myth*. I can't believe how many people believe this! People, episiotomies make you *more* likely to tear, and they make it more likely that you'll have a *bad* tear. An uncut woman may tear, but it's unlikely that natural tearing will extend into the muscle. A cut, by definition, *is* into the muscle, and in many cases will extend into the rectum. So, no episiotomy = possible minor damage. Episiotomy = certain major damage.

There are no benefits to episiotomy, except perhaps to make extra room for a doctor to stick forceps in when the mother can't push the baby out because she's on her back or some such nonsense. Do some research. Episiotomy is a "fix" for an obstetrically-created problem. Millions of women have been maimed because doctors don't know what they're doing.

Answer 2

The others answered the question already, but I wanted to add some things.
A woman's body was made to stretch when delivering a baby. Occasionally a woman may tear a little when the baby come out. It usually requires a few stitches or none at all. Natural tears heal better and faster than an episiotomy. Most women will experience no tear or only a first degree tear.
Doctors started performing episiotomies to hurry up the delivery, make it easier to sew up afterward, and because they used to use forceps a lot when women were knocked out from twilight sleep. Episiotomies start as a second degree incision and often tear into a third or fourth tear. Imagine a piece of fabric, clip a small tear into it and it is much easier to tear beyond the clip, muscle is much the same.
The ACOG has recently make a statement that routine episotomies are more harmful than beneficial. They take longer to heal, have a higher rate of infection, and result in 3-4th degree tear more often than a natural tear.
The only reason to get an episotomy is for a surgically assisted birth (forceps/vacuum), if baby is in danger and needs to be delivered stat or an unyielding perineum that may have scar tissue from a previous episiotomy.

Answer 3

It is a cut that the doctor will make in the perineum which is the area between the vagina and the anus. The cut is made to prevent you from tearing when you give birth. The pros are that the doctor can control it whereas if you tear it may be worse. I had an episiotomy with my first and I tore with my second. I didn't have any problems either time, but when they did the epsiotomy he gave me a shot first so it didn't really hurt and when I tore it hurt a lot. I didn't have a n epidural with either child, so I guess if you have an epidural it wouldn't really hurt then either. Some people feel it is unnecessary, but if I had to do it again I'd want the episiotomy. Most doctors will wait until it looks like you are going to need one before they do it.

Answer 4

A episiotomy is where they cut cut a small slit of skin right under and part of your vaginal area. The pro to it is that you wont rip yourself open during child labor, it will help to puch the baby out, the con is that is takes a while to heal cant have sex for 3 to 6 weeks after, and possible risk of infection like all pregnancys though. I have also been told that you could be wider but dont believe me on that I had 2 c-sections.

Answer 5

Like everyone said it is when the doctor cuts you just before the baby is born. It is good in case of fetal distress because the baby can be born faster. The cons are that it can cause tearing. It is like holding a piece of cloth tight; it is more likely to tear if you cut it. The lady that had such trouble with hers probably tore also and the doctor did not tell her.
In order to prevent an episiotomy first you need to find a doctor that does not do it routinely. Second you need to do prenatal perenial massage. This is started 6 weeks before the due date and will help stretch you in advance. I know it really helped me.

Answer 6

a cut made in the skin between the vagina and anus during labour to avoid tear. personally, though i can understand why they do it, i think its better to just do without because i tore and didnt even feel it and i had stitches and was fine. i think a natural tear is better than having a surgical cut if it may not be needed because your body will do what it needs to and the only difference is tear isnt controlled whereas a cut it - but a cut could still tear further anyway so whats the point?

Answer 7

When you give birth naturally and instead of letting you tear down there a dr will make a cut....

I had a c section so I am not sure what the pros and cons are, but my dr was against them and said she did not do them....she said that the body will heal itself better if its allowed to tear naturally.

Answer 8

an episiotomy is where the doctor cuts you right above your anus during child birth. Sometimes the doctor will go ahead and cut the skin right there so it doesn't rip.

Answer 9

an episiotomy is when the doctor cuts your perinium so that you don't tear when you are delivering your baby.
and the pro's you don't tear lol
the con's you have stitches down there and you have to be careful when you wipe you could tear the stitches open and infection.good luck and hope i helped.

Answer 10

it's when the doctor cuts you right above your anus ( your perenium ) so that you dont tear while your pushing. Alot of doctors cut right before you start pushing. My doc did that with my first baby and I was swollen for a month and couldnt sit down for almost 2 months. It burned for days after I had her when i pee'd or pooped. with my second i tore on my own and I didnt have any problems. I needed stitches just like my first but with my second it was 1 big stitch and it healed just fine. so I liked tearing better. but that was just my experience.