Is episiotomy necessary for normal delivery?

Many women do not want to give birth naturally because they are afraid that it will require episiotomy. In fact, episiotomy is not as scary as you think. It is to allow the baby to be delivered more smoothly. The most important thing is to provide correct care after the episiotomy, eat more high-fiber foods, and keep the vulva clean.

1. Symptoms of episiotomy

In primipara delivery with head presentation, the perineum is tight, long, the tissue is tough or underdeveloped, there is inflammation, edema, or the perineum fails to fully expand during emergency delivery. It is estimated that a degree II or above laceration will occur when the fetal head is delivered.

Head-pelvic disproportion caused by various reasons.

Multiparous women who have undergone episiotomy and suture, or who have large scars after repair that affect the expansion of the perineum.

Forceps-assisted delivery, vacuum extractor-assisted delivery, or vaginal delivery for first-time breech presentation.

Premature birth, intrauterine growth retardation or fetal distress require relief of fetal head pressure and early delivery.

Pregnant women who suffer from heart disease or high blood pressure and need to shorten the second stage of labor.

2. Nursing

1. Eat more high-fiber foods, develop regular bowel habits, and drink more water to avoid constipation. If a woman is constipated after childbirth, she may easily cause the wound to be lacerated again if she exerts too much force when defecating.

2. Keep the vulva clean to prevent infection. Change sanitary pads frequently to prevent lochia from soaking the wound and increasing the difficulty of healing; disinfect the wound every day, and wipe the vulva from front to back with disinfectant cotton after each bowel movement.

3. Prevent the perineal incision from splitting after the stitches are removed. Get out of bed and move around early after delivery, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, drink more fish soup, pig's trotter soup, etc., do not eat spicy food, and keep bowel movements smooth; once constipation occurs, do not hold your breath or exert force, and use enema to help with bowel movements; within a few days after the stitches are removed, avoid forceful squatting, and retract the perineum and buttocks before sitting on the toilet when defecating to prevent the perineum wound from dehiscence; when sitting, the center of gravity of the body should be tilted to the right side to avoid pressure on the wound that causes the incision epidermis to shift; avoid falling or excessive abduction of the thighs that may cause the wound to dehiscence again; it is not advisable to be discharged from the hospital on the day the stitches are removed, because wound dehiscence often occurs on the day the stitches are removed.

4. Avoid hematoma in the wound. During the first few days, the mother should pay attention to the condition of the incision. If the wound is painful within 1-2 hours after the operation and becomes more and more severe, it is likely that a hematoma has formed. The mother should immediately apply compound golden flower oil to the incision on the vulva and inner side of the vagina several times to reduce swelling and relieve pain.

5. For patients with severe lacerations and swollen and painful wounds, Pearl Skin Regenerating Cream (Powder) should be applied promptly after surgery to promote healing of the lacerations, avoid wound infection, and prevent scar hyperplasia.

6. Avoid exerting force: Do not exert force when defecating to avoid reopening the repaired wound.

7. Do not lift heavy objects: Within 1 month after delivery, do not lift heavy objects or do any strenuous housework or exercise.