Labor and delivery (11)
- Signs of labor: Know what to expect
- Episiotomy: Can you deliver a baby without one?
- Labor and delivery: Pain medications
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Postpartum care (7)
- Exercise after pregnancy: How to get started
- Maternity leave: Tips for returning to work
- Weight loss after pregnancy: Reclaiming your body
- see all in Postpartum care
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Episiotomy: Can you deliver a baby without one?
An episiotomy was once a routine part of childbirth — but the procedure isn't always necessary. Here's what you need to know about episiotomy risks, benefits and recovery.
By Mayo Clinic staffAn episiotomy is an incision made in the tissue between the vaginal opening and anus (perineum) during childbirth. Although an episiotomy was once a routine part of childbirth, that's no longer the case. If you're planning a vaginal delivery, here's what you need to know about episiotomy and childbirth.
The episiotomy tradition
For many years, an episiotomy was thought to help prevent more extensive vaginal tears during childbirth — and heal better than a natural tear. The procedure was also thought to reduce the risk of incontinence after childbirth and keep the bladder and rectum from drooping into the vagina.
Sounds reasonable, but researchers have found that routine episiotomies don't prevent these problems after all. Recovery is uncomfortable, and sometimes the surgical incision is more extensive than a natural tear would have been. For some women, an episiotomy causes pain during sex in the months after delivery. An episiotomy also increases the risk of fecal incontinence after delivery.
The new approach
Researchers say there's no need for a routine episiotomy, but the procedure is still warranted in some cases. Your health care provider may recommend an episiotomy if:
- Extensive vaginal tearing appears likely
- Your baby is in an abnormal position
- Your baby needs to be delivered quickly
If you need an episiotomy, you'll receive an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the tissue if you haven't had any other type of anesthesia or your anesthesia is no longer numbing the area. You won't feel your health care provider making the incision or repairing it after delivery.
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