Episiotomy

Understanding

EpisiotomyDealing with PainSupporting the Healing Process

Understanding Episiotomy

Understand the Purpose of an

Episiotomy During Child Birth

Your Doctor May Perform an

Episiotomy if:Your baby is large and needs more room to exit your body.

Your baby’s shoulders get stuck during the delivery.

Your labor is so fast that the perineum doesn’t have time to stretch before the baby is ready to come out.

Your baby’s heart rate indicates that the baby is in trouble and needs to be delivered as fast as possible.

Your baby is in an abnormal position

Learn Different Types of

Episiotomy

Talk to Your Doctor About Your Concerns

To reduce the need for an episiotomy.

During labor use a warm compress to the perineum.

Ask your doctor if you can stand or squat to push.

Do Kegel Exercises to Help Reduce Your

Need for an Episiotomy

Give Yourself a Perineal Massage

Steps: Lie on our back with your head against some pillows and your knees bent.

Massage a small amount of oil into the skin to the perineum.

Place your fingers around two inches inside your vagina and press downward toward the anus.

Hold this stretch for 30-60 seconds then release.

DealingwithPain

Ask Your Physician About Painkillers That You May Be

Able To Use.

Place an Icepack on the Perineum When

You Are Resting

Wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it between your legs while lying in bed or reclining in a chair.

Do not leave the ice pack for more than 15 minutes.

Tighten your Bottocks as You Sit

Down

Talk to Your Doctor about Sitz Bath

Warm water or cool water.

It is good for 20 minutes.

Pour Water Over Your Stitches While

You Urinate.

To reduce discomfort and keep your stitches clean.

Put Pressure on your Wound During Bowel

Movements

Press a sanitary pad against your perineum and hold it there while you go.

To reduce pain and discomfort.

Reduce your Risk of Becoming Constipated

Drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day.

DO NOT OVER HYDRATE!Eat foods that are fiber rich. (Fruits and Vegetables)

Get some mild exercise. It aids in digestion.

Talk to your doctor if you are still experiencing constipation

Supporting the Healing Process

Keep the Area Clean and Dry to

Encourage the Stitches to Heal

Always rinse the area after urinating.

Wipe your bottom from front to back.

Start Doing Kegel Exercises

Improve circulation. Speed healing time. Repair some tissue damage

while giving birth. Strengthen pelvic floor

muscles that support the bladder, uterus and rectum.

Reduce urinary incontinence and strengthen contractions during orgasm.

Start with an empty bladder and imagine trying to stop yourself from urinating and passing gas at the same time.

Expose the Area to Air

Change your Sanitary Pad Every Two to Four Hours

To make your wound clean and dry.

Prevent any blood penetrating to your undies.

Talk with Your Doctor about Sex

and Using Tampons

Your episiotomy should heal for 10 days.

Wait up until six to seven weeks after giving birth before you start having sex again.

Monitor the Area for Potential Infections

Consult your doctor if you notice some of

the following: Increasing pain.The wound appears to break open.

You have discharge with a bad odor.

You have a hard and painful lump in the area.

The skin between your vagina and anus looks redder than usual.

The skin between your vagina and anus looks swollen.

You see pus coming from the stitches.

Thank you for listening!