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episiotomy incision
Local anaesthetic is given beforehand unless you have an epidural. Compared with a natural tear, an episiotomy is generally more painful, it leads to blood loss and takes longer to heal. There are two types of episiotomy incisions:
Midline incision. A midline incision is done vertically. A midline incision is easier to repair. But it has a higher risk of extending into the anal area.
Mediolateral incision. A mediolateral incision is done at an angle. A mediolateral incision is less likely to result in an extended tear into the anal area. However, this incision is often more painful and more difficult to repair.
After you have birthed your baby and the placenta, your care provider will give you an anaesthetic injection before suturing the cut.
Like all interventions, episiotomies have their place – if there is a severe compromise to the perineum or if your baby is struggling, your care provider may suggest one. However, it’s really important to know that an episiotomy cannot be performed without your consent.
The stitches used in an episiotomy repair are usually absorbed over time. Your care provider will check them during the coming days post-birth to ensure that the incision is healing and there is no infection. If you are concern for any reason you should discuss your concerns with your care provider. Usually over the counter pain relief is sufficient while the wound heals and stool softeners can sometimes assist.
Perineal massage is a technique that can be used during pregnancy to help to stretch the perineum, to reduce the risk of tears when giving birth. Protecting your perineum doesn’t start in the second stage of labour when your baby is crowning. It starts in your pregnancy with conscious preparation – cultivating trust in your ability to birth and developing awareness of your pelvic floor.
You can download our FREE guide here to learn how to reduce the risk of tears when giving birth.
Episode 329
birth · 45min
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If your birth education has been limited to movie scenes on the hospital ward, chances are you presume that most women labour on the bed. However, if you’re interested in having a physiological birth (without pain relief or intervention) and you want to work with your body to navigate the intensity of contractions, the advice of almost every birth education, doula and midwife will be simple: don’t get on the bed.
Shoulder dystocia occurs in a vaginal birth when the baby’s shoulder is stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone but the head has already been birthed. It’s considered an emergency but your care provider will be trained in navigating the complication to ensure your baby is born promptly and safely.
If you’re currently pregnant, you may be feeling quite overwhelmed by the advice that everyone seems to throw at you. It’s a lot, isn’t it. And while it’s well-meaning, it often leads to confusion rather than clarity.
Regardless of where you’re birthing and your intentions for pain management, it’s a good idea to educate yourself about the benefits and risks of each intervention so you go into labour aware and informed, with a strong understanding of the options available to you and how they can help or hinder your labour progression, birth and recovery.
As you get closer to your estimated due date (EDD), ideally your baby will be in a head down position. If your baby is upside down - with either their bottom or feet closest to your cervix and their head up towards your ribcage - they are in a breech position. It’s very normal for your baby to turn from breech to head-down throughout your pregnancy.
Choosing the correct size birthing ball for pregnancy can be tricky. Here are the key things to keep in mind for choosing your yoga or exercise ball for use in pregnancy or birth.
Birth can be a positive, empowering experience. However, for some women, labour and birth (both vaginal and caesarean birth) can be traumatic and can lead to both physical and mental trauma.
An episiotomy is a surgical cut to the perineum during the second stage of labour that’s performed on around 24 per cent of Australian women during a vaginal birth. Episiotomies are used to enlarge the vaginal opening, particularly if a baby is showing signs of distress and needs to be born quickly. It may also be suggested if your care provider believes you’re at risk of a severe tear.