How do you take care of an episiotomy?

Keep the area around the stitches clean and dry. Pat the area dry with a clean towel after you bathe. After you urinate or have a bowel movement, spray warm water over the area and pat dry with a clean towel or baby wipe. Do not use toilet paper.

What is the procedure of episiotomy?

An episiotomy is a cut (incision) through the area between your vaginal opening and your anus. This area is called the perineum. This procedure is done to make your vaginal opening larger for childbirth.

Is episiotomy a routine procedure?

Here’s what you need to know about the risks, benefits and recovery. An episiotomy is an incision made in the perineum — the tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus — during childbirth. Although the procedure was once a routine part of childbirth, that’s no longer the case.

What is episiotomy Slideshare?

Definition A surgically planned incision on the perineum and the posterior vaginal wall during the second stage of labour is called episiotomy. 3. OBJECTIVES • To enlarge the vaginal introitus • To minimize overstretching and rupture of the perineal muscles and fascia.

What should you not do after an episiotomy?

Tips for Caring for Your Episiotomy Stitches

1. Avoid tampons for the first 6 weeks after giving birth.
2. Buy a shallow mini-tub called a sitz bath that fits over the toilet seat and allows you to soak the stitches for cleansing and pain relief.
3. Change your pad every 2 to 4 hours.

Can an episiotomy cause problems later in life?

The main disadvantage of a midline episiotomy is the increased risk for tears that extend into or through the anal muscles. This type of injury can result in long-term problems, including fecal incontinence, or the inability to control bowl movements.

What is Mediolateral episiotomy?

In a mediolateral episiotomy, the incision begins in the middle of the vaginal opening and extends down toward the buttocks at a 45-degree angle. The primary advantage of a mediolateral episiotomy is that the risk for anal muscle tears is much lower.

How do you sleep after an episiotomy?

Rest is really important and will help your body recover and heal from an episiotomy. It’s a good idea to rest whenever you can and: It can help to lay down and air your stitches – fresh air can help with healing. Take off your underwear and lay on a towel on your bed for 10 minutes or so a couple of times a day.

How long will it take episiotomy to heal?

Recovering from an episiotomy. Episiotomy cuts are usually repaired within an hour of your baby’s birth. The cut may bleed quite a lot at first, but this should stop with pressure and stitches. Stitches should heal within 1 month of the birth.

What are the steps in the episiotomy procedure?

Page 16 Steps of episiotomy • Wearing high-level disinfected gloves, place two fingers between the baby’s head and the perineum. • Use scissors to cut the perineum about 3– 4 cm in the mediolateral direction 17. Page 17 Steps of episiotomy • Use scissors to cut 2–3 cm up the middle of the posterior vagina.

What to do when you have an episiotomy in the perineum?

The perineum is the area between the vagina and anus where the episiotomy was made. You can use an ice pack to help reduce swelling and ease the pain. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it between your legs while you are lying in bed or reclining in a chair.

When to use an ice pack after an episiotomy?

Place an ice pack on the perineum when you are resting. The perineum is the area between the vagina and anus where the episiotomy was made. You can use an ice pack to help reduce swelling and ease the pain.

How to deal with swelling after an episiotomy?

Place an ice pack on the perineum when you are resting. The perineum is the area between the vagina and anus where the episiotomy was made. You can use an ice pack to help reduce swelling and ease the pain. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and place it between your legs while you are lying in bed or reclining in a chair.

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