30/04/2025
Episiotomia
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An Episiotomy is a surgical cut intended to widen the vaginal opening.
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The two most common types of episiotomies are:
1)midline (toward the a**s)
or
2)medio-lateral (diagonal, away from the a**s)
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This procedure was originally intended to prevent severe tears and trauma to the perineum during a vaginal birth or to expedite a birth in the case of fetal trauma, or to allow an instrumental (forceps or vacuum) delivery.
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This practice originated in the 18th century and it was thought that a surgical cut was better than a natural tear, and that it reduced the chances of incontinence (leaking urine and/or f***s) and improved sexual function.
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📌The World Health Organization recommends episiotomy rates of below 10%.
📌A study done in 1983 showed that episiotomies did NOT improve incontinence or sexual function, but that it actually INCREASED the odds of the birther experiencing BOTH.
📌Episiotomies effect the birther more than the baby
📌It can lead to a traumatic birth experience
📌It can impact the birthers quality of life
📌It increases:
➖blood loss
➖chance of infection
➖incontinence
➖recovery time
➖painful in*******se
📌They do not reduce the risk of severe vaginal tearing but rather INCREASE your chances of tearing further
📌Surgeons are accustomed to sewing back together clean, straight cuts made by scalpels. Not a rugged irregular cut. A natural tear follows the lines of tissues which can be sewn back together like a jigsaw puzzle. An episiotomy ignores anatomical structures and borders and disrupts the integrity of muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and other tissues. This is what causes more bleeding, more pain, more incontinence, loss of muscle tone, and discomfort during in*******se.
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💚The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) changed its stance concerning the procedure, encouraging its members to take more preventative measures, and avoid episiotomy whenever possible💚
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💙The World Health Organization says “Routine or liberal use of episiotomy is not recommended for women undergoing spontaneous vaginal birth.”💙
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-Love,
Flor Cruz
Badassmotherbirther