Can You Avoid An Episiotomy During Childbirth?

If you are expecting a baby, you may be afraid of cracking during childbirth. However, many experts suggest limiting the use of episiotomy, or clips, except when absolutely necessary. Because of this, we give you some tips here to avoid an episiotomy during childbirth.

What is an episiotomy?

It is a method used during childbirth. A small incision is made in the perineum, the perineum , which is the area between the genitals and the anus, when the baby’s head begins to appear. The cut is to make the opening larger to facilitate the child’s way out.

The method began to be used to avoid cracks in the area during childbirth and became routine to the point that the majority of women underwent one during childbirth. Nowadays it is performed in Sweden only when there is a risk to the baby’s health as you need to speed up the birth as much as possible.

How to avoid an episiotomy during childbirth

You can protect the perineal area by placing a warm bandage over the diaphragm to allow time for the expulsion phase to take place. Massage of the diaphragm with oils and squeezing exercises is recommended during the last six weeks of pregnancy.

Some specialists and midwives believe that as long as the diaphragm is healthy and an integral part of the body as a whole, the risk is lower. In addition, you must allow the birth to progress slowly and naturally during the expulsion.

To avoid an episiotomy during childbirth, you should choose a midwife with care. A good midwife will help you get through the birth in the most natural way. He or she will only make an incision when absolutely necessary.

This benefits a natural birth and the least number of surgeries. Another option you should consider is a water birth, which usually reduces the pain and the risk of an episiotomy.

Squeeze exercises

With squeezing exercises, also called Kegel training, you contract and relax the pelvic floor muscles. One way to do this is to sit on the toilet with your legs relaxed and stop your urine at 5 second intervals. Let it flow freely again without moving your legs and breathe calmly.

Repeat this series of exercises 10 times, several times during the day. If possible, increase the relaxation and contraction time until it reaches 20 seconds.

The goal is to strengthen the muscles of the diaphragm to make it more resistant and elastic. Then a pregnant woman can relax in that area and create flexibility to achieve a good extension when the baby’s head is out.

In this way, the baby’s head can easily get through, so the woman can avoid getting an episiotomy at birth.

Prenatal massage of the diaphragm

You can do these massage exercises during the third trimester of pregnancy. How? The best time is right after you take a shower.

Lubricate the entire diaphragm with rosehip oil or almond oil.  Use your thumb to massage the area in a U-shape and stretch a little down and out. Repeat the movement until you feel a slight tingling sensation.

Consistent massage will soften and stretch the tissues, so it increases the elasticity of the diaphragm. It also prepares a pregnant woman for the feelings of tension and pressure that she will experience during childbirth.

When should an episiotomy be performed?

An episiotomy should be performed when there is a risk of birth defects – during complicated or difficult births – and in women who have suffered a vaginal injury during previous births.

If the perineum is cut correctly and sewn together with precision, recovery is easy, the discomfort lasts for a few days and the stitches fall off by themselves.

To alleviate the discomfort, you can place a bandage with warm water in the area and maintain good hygiene habits. When washing the wound, wipe it and cover it with a gauze bandage as often as possible. You should also avoid constipating foods.