Page 90 - April Issue
P. 90
in focus: birth | recovery
episiotomy. The midline is Complications Hygiene
an incision that starts at the
bottom of the genitalia and The common complications Healing from an episiotomy
makes a straight line in the associated with episiotomies, can be painful but there are
direction of the anus. The elaborates Dr Lodha, include steps that can be taken to
mediolateral episiotomy pain, constipation, incontinence, reduce discomfort. While still in
involves an incision from the discomfort when sitting and the recovery area, request ice
bottom of the genitalia at a during intimate relations, and packs and place them on the
right or left angle toward the in some women there may also perineum to reduce swelling and
anus. be scar tissue. “In a few women, inflammation. Pour warm water
excessive, raised or itchy scar over the perineum whenever
Comfort tissue forms around the place you urinate to reduce stinging.
where a tear happened or where Sit on a doughnut shaped ring
In the past, Dr Lodha says an episiotomy was performed,” to relieve pain through reduced
that up to 90 percent of she says, “A small operation pressure. Take over the counter
women in labour in the UK had called a Fenton’s procedure pain relievers at regular intervals.
episiotomies. Evidence based can be done to remove the scar Using a witch hazel spray on the
studies now believe they’re tissue and is done at least six area will soothe pain as well as
not of great benefit and are months after childbirth, when speed up the healing process.
unnecessary for most women, the tissues have healed from the
except when the baby is in stretching, bruising and tearing Healing
distress or the mother is having of childbirth.”
a forceps delivery, she suggests Dr Lodha instructs that after
and in fact, episiotomies are Pain an episiotomy, the area around
now done much less frequently. the perineum needs to be kept
“In a recent paper published in According to Dr Lodha, there clean to avoid infection. “When
AJOG in 2010, it was noticed is some evidence that the pain you use the toilet, take care to
that Asians are nine times and discomfort of an episiotomy wipe from front to back,” she
more likely as other women to can interfere with the bonding says. Also she suggests that your
experience severe tearing of between mother and child muscles may heal more quickly if
in the early days after birth. you practice pelvic floor muscle
exercises regularly after the birth.
“Some women find that “These are known as Kegels
ice packs, warm baths, and exercises,” she says, “Simply
herbal remedies can help.” tighten your pelvic muscles as if
you’re stopping your stream of
mother, baby & child April 2011 skin around the genitalia during “This is one of the reasons the urine.” Starting about a day after
childbirth,” she says, explaining procedure is not recommended delivery, try it for five seconds at
that this happens because of unless it’s really necessary,” a time, four or five times in a row.
the shorter perineum which she says, adding, “There Repeat throughout the day.
is less able to stretch during is no research to say which
deliveries coupled with bigger methods are most effective, Warnings
babies following adaption of but some women find that ice
Western eating habits. “In such packs, warm baths, and herbal Share any concerns you may have
deliveries, episiotomies may remedies such as calendula about your physical or emotional
be justified to prevent severe cream or arnica can help, a health, urges Dr Lodha, “Chances
tears,” she notes. painkilling medicine such as are what you’re feeling is entirely
paracetamol or ibuprofen may normal.” Call your doctor if
be needed often.” you develop a fever or the site
becomes swollen, red or irritated.
CREDITS:
Dr Manju Abhimanyu Lodha
Prime Medical Center, Deira
04-2720720
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