EpisiotomyFrom our partner site on chronic pain, ChronicPainConnection.com.
Episiotomy is a procedure where the skin between the vagina and the anus (the perineum) is cut. It isdoneoccasionally to enlarge the vaginal openingso that a baby can be more easily delivered. Description: Just before the baby is born, the obstetrician numbs the vaginal area and makesone of two cuts:
advertisement The cut makes thevaginal opening bigger.It is closed after the baby and placenta have been delivered. Indications: An episiotomy may be needed ifthebaby's head is toobig for the mother's vaginal opening, or the baby is in a breechposition (feet or buttocks coming first)and there is a problem during delivery. References: Hartmann K, Viswanathan M, Palmieri R, Gartlehner G, Thorp J Jr, Lohr KN. Outcomes of routine episiotomy: a systematic review. JAMA. 2005 May 4;293(17):2141-8. American Pregnancy Association. Episiotomy. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/labornbirth/episiotomy.html. Accessed May 12, 2005.
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