Many people believe that episiotomy is a necessary procedure when pregnant women give birth. However, this is not necessarily true.
An episiotomy is simply an operation that opens the way to the fetus through the vagina, preventing some serious damage and injuries to the vagina at birth. This procedure can also be used to boost birth in the event of an injury to the fetus or to insert instruments (forceps or aspirations).
Many people believe that episiotomy is a necessary procedure when pregnant women give birth . However, many studies have proven the opposite.
The perineal layer is the part between the genitals and anus, about 4 - 5cm in length, located in the shallow part of the pelvic floor. This is a part of the muscles, ligaments stuck under the pelvis. The perineal layer functions to protect and support pelvic organs such as uterus, vagina, rectum, bladder. During a woman's childbirth, the epithelium will naturally expand or be cut so that the fetus can easily go out.
Studies over the course of 20 years have shown that not all cases of childbirth require an episiotomy. In fact, it should be limited to as much as possible. The World Health Organization recommends that the rate of performing an episiotomy (vulva) should be less than 10%.
This started in the eighteenth century and became widely available over the next 100 years, as medical equipment improved, and the enlargement of the vulva made it easier for doctors to manipulate with hands or with tongs. . For a long time, it was thought that episiotomy was safer than letting the vagina naturally tear. This procedure was once a common form of delivery in the hospital.
In 1983, research showed that episiotomy even increased incontinence and impaired sexual function . You should take preventive measures rather than episiotomy, but it will take more than 20 years for this policy to become a reality. Meanwhile, some hospitals still have a routine episiotomy policy.
Today, the use of this procedure is more limited, usually performed only in cases where the pregnancy is showing signs of impairment, which requires urgent delivery.
The procedure of an episiotomy, although not life-threatening, greatly affects a woman's quality of life. Performing this procedure increases the risk of blood loss during delivery and the incidence of infection. Women who have undergone an episiotomy need a longer recovery time and feel a loss of control and pain in urinating, even after the incision has healed. At the same time, perineal incision also increases the risk of severe vulvae tear.
In addition, if the unsecured wound care after the incision can cause an episiotomy to be open, swollen, or a suture ... Therefore, you should consult your doctor about taking care of the episiotomy. Careful postpartum subjects.
After you have an episiotomy, basically, the doctor will stitch your pelvic floor muscles back to how they were before. This is essential for bladder and bowel control, as well as for sexual pleasure. But the fact is that when a part of the body has been operated, it will never fully recover as it was. It is weaker and looser. This condition contributes to increased loss of control when urinating.
This procedure is usually decided by the doctor just before the woman is about to pass labor. Before you are about to give birth, ask your doctor to consider whether or not an episiotomy is necessary in your case!
Prenatal vitamins can worsen nausea, especially on an empty stomach. Learn practical timing and food adjustments, safer options to discuss, and when to call your pregnancy care team.
Nighttime leg cramps are common in pregnancy, but their exact cause is often unclear. Learn likely contributors, safe relief steps, and warning signs that need prompt care.
Pack a small hospital bag with the essentials, protect important medical aids, and check which items your hospital provides or restricts.
Learn when pregnancy swelling can wait for routine discussion, when to call maternity care the same day, and which symptoms need emergency help now.
Ease pregnancy heartburn with smaller meals, smart timing, and pregnancy-aware medication advice—without cutting nutritious foods or skipping prenatal supplements.
Help older children adjust to a new baby with honest, age-appropriate conversations, optional ways to join in, steady routines, and space for mixed feelings.
Try pregnancy-safe pillow positioning and gentle turning strategies for hip pain at night, and learn when persistent pain or other symptoms need medical care.
Morning sickness can ease and return as pregnancy symptoms fluctuate. Learn common triggers, practical steps, and when nausea or vomiting needs medical attention.
Fetal movement can feel different as pregnancy progresses, but a clear change in your baby’s usual pattern needs prompt attention. Learn what may affect what you feel and when to call.
Build a flexible birth plan by comparing pain relief, birth setting, support, and newborn care—and writing backup preferences for an unpredictable labor.
