Is Cutting the Perineum during Birth Mutilation?
Every second woman has a surgical cut made to the perineum during delivery. Why is this procedure, known as episiotomy, performed? Is it really necessary?
Episiotomy refers to a surgical cut made to the perineum during delivery. (Photoxpress)
What is episiotomy and why is it performed?
Although episiotomy is a procedure that’s been performed for over 250 years, there’s still a lot of discussion going on about it. Episiotomy is a procedure that supposedly reduces damage to the vagina, bladder and rectum. It’s performed just before the widest part of the baby’s head appears. It’s used when a mother is very exhausted and the delivery has to be speeded up as well as in the event of delivery by 
vacuum extraction. A threat to the baby’s life also affects the decision to use episiotomy.
Episiotomy is problematic because it has become a very routine procedure in childbirth. It’s supposed to prevent potential tearing that could be made during delivery, but it often even causes damage instead of preventing it. Women who had episiotomy often experience greater problems with recovery than those who don’t undergo the procedure, even if they have tears. Episiotomy primarily makes work easier for obstetricians. Because of an uncritical approach, some people compare episiotomy with mutilation of women in less developed countries, which most people find shocking.
Women who had episiotomy often need a longer period to recover. (Photoxpress)
What can you do to reduce your chances of episiotomy?
WHO made recommendations on the rate of episiotomies to be reduced to 20%, or even 10%.
During the second delivery period, a midwife can reduce the chances of episiotomy with right positions. The upright and kneeling positions and the positions on your knees and elbows are recommended. You may avoid episiotomy if you begin massaging your perineum five to six weeks before your due date, which improves the tissue quality of the perineum.
A massage will contribute to greater flexibility. It’s best if you use rose oil because it also serves as an antiseptic and alleviates contractions. A steam bath where you sit also softens the tissue of the perineum. Kegel exercises are another effective way to prevent tearing during delivery.
You can discuss problems typical of pregnancy on the Intimate Medicine forum!
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