Gourt > Health > Reproductive Health > Pregnancy and Birth > Childbirth > Episiotomy
An episiotomy is a surgical incision through the perineum made to enlarge the vagina and assist childbirth. The incision can be midline or at an angle from the posterior end of the vulva, is performed under local anaesthetic and is sutured closed after delivery. It is one of the most common medical procedures performed on women, and although its routine use in childbirth has steadily declined in recent decades it is still widely practised in Latin America.
Uses
Physicians use episiotomies to lessen perineal trauma, minimize postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction by reducing anal sphincter muscle damage, reduce the loss of blood at delivery, and protect against neonatal trauma. In many cases though, episiotomies cause all of these problems.
Episiotomies may be indicated if:
- there is any sign of fetal distress while the baby is in the birth canal
- a delivery occurs too quickly for the vagina to stretch naturally
- the baby's head is too large for the opening
- the baby's shoulders are stuck
- it is a breech birth or forceps delivery
Check Fresh Articles Place For http://www.fresharticlesplace.com/episiotomy
faplace (FreshArticlesPlace) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:41:50 -0000
Check Fresh Articles Place For http://www.fresharticlesplace.com/episiotomy
Check Fresh Articles Place For http://www.fresharticlesplace.com/benefits-vs-risks-of-episiotomy
faplace (FreshArticlesPlace) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:41:12 -0000
Check Fresh Articles Place For http://www.fresharticlesplace.com/benefits-vs-risks-of-episiotomy
@gibbzer We crossed. Mine was a disaster. Far too good. 23 hours later, the episiotomy and forceps... Sorry, is it still #tmiTuesday?
AndreaGillies (Andrea Gillies) Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:00:34 -0000
@gibbzer We crossed. Mine was a disaster. Far too good. 23 hours later, the episiotomy and forceps... Sorry, is it still #tmiTuesday?
http://legalmalpracticeattorney.net/legal-malpractice/anyone-know-anything-about-medical-laws-or-regulations-regarding-episiotomy/
netequity (netequity) Tue, 08 Dec 2009 18:59:04 -0000
http://legalmalpracticeattorney.net/legal-malpractice/anyone-know-anything-about-medical-laws-or-regulations-regarding-episiotomy/
@futuremama and look at the phrase perineal massage and reduced rates of episiotomy for 1st time birth articles... usually start at 34 wks
madreoso (kia) Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:03:18 -0000
@futuremama and look at the phrase perineal massage and reduced rates of episiotomy for 1st time birth articles... usually start at 34 wks
@phogtom lol mucus plug. What about episiotomy? ;)
AshleySampson (Ashley Sampson) Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:01:28 -0000
@phogtom lol mucus plug. What about episiotomy? ;)
About Episiotomy - A collection of links to articles on the subject plus information on using exercise to avoid and recover from the procedure.
Meta Description: [ Often called the unkindest cut of all, this surgical incision of the perineum is mostly unnecessary. Learn how to prevent it and what happens when it's necessary. ]
Baby Center: Episiotomy - The how and why, including commonly asked questions and their answers. Includes user submitted comments on personal experiences with the procedure.
Benefits and Risks of Episiotomy - Text of the manuscript subtitled A Review of the English-Language Literature Since 1980 by R.J. Woolley which summarize the findings of studies on the subject.
Birth Psychology: Epsiotomy - A description of the procedure, its purposes, and women's responses to it.
Episiotomy: Ritual Genital Mutilation in Western Obstetrics - An article denouncing the practice of routinely cutting the perineum during hospital deliveries in the United States with abstracts for related studies.
Meta Description: [ A page of citations from the medical literature that
generally demonstrate that the routine practice of cutting the vaginal opening of
women in labor is unnecessary, causes the tearing it is meant to prevent,
and leads to severe complications. ]
Get Through Childbirth in One Piece - An article with references about methods for avoiding the procedure, written by the author of the book by the same name.
Meta Description: [ MidwifeInfo: a comprehensive information resource for parents and midwives. ]
Much Ado About a Little Cut - Article from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggesting that routine episiotomy is no longer advisable.
NPR : Study Questions Value of Episiotomies - A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds no benefit from episiotomies. Melissa Block talks with Dr. Katherine E. Hartmann, who is lead author of the study. [3:53 streaming audio broadcast]
Meta Description: [ A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds no benefit from episiotomies, a commonplace procedure performed on women during childbirth. The procedure is intended to help prevent additional injury during birth. Melissa Block talks with Dr. Katherine E. Hartmann, w... ]
Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities: Episiotomy - Summary of significant points, references, and abstracts from related studies from this book on obstetric myths.
Parent's Place: Episiotomy - Article on the pros and cons of the procedure.
Meta Description: [ To perform an episiotomy the birth attendant snips the bottom of the vaginal opening to enlarge it for birth. ]
Perineal Massage: Your How-To Guide - Article on how performing perineal massage may allow the mother to give birth without an episiotomy or laceration.
Meta Description: [ Performing perineal massage may allow the mother to give birth without an episiotomy or laceration. ]
Perineal Protection - Avoiding Tears and Episiotomy - Suggestions for avoiding the procedure from midwives, including the use of perineal massage and birth stools.
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