Labour ward - episiotomy

Introduction.

Childbirth is a long process, and the last stages when the baby emerges can be very rapid, and at that stage the head may be too large for the opening of the vagina. The risk is that the head may tear the perineum.

Whilst surgeons are very good at repairing these tears, there are some that are worse than others, they are described in terms of degrees, the worst one when the tear extends into the rectum.

To prevent this happening the midwife or obstetrician may make a deliberate cut to stop the tear.

 This is called an episiotomy  and in essence it is the same as a relieving incision