Many women have gotten "cut" by their doctor, or "tore" in childbirth. What was really going on down there?
An episiotomy is an intended cut in the area outside the vagina, directed towards your anus. This can be a diagonal cut, or directed from the 12 to 6 o'clock position. What are some reason reasons why a doctor would cut an episiotomy:
*There are heart rate changes with your baby, while you are pushing, that make the doctor concerned, and s/he wants to shorten the time needed to push the baby out.
*The doctor assesses that you may not have enough space to deliver the baby, based on the estimation of your baby's size and your pelvis.
*The doctor assesses that you will need help with the pushing effort, and s/he plans to use forceps or a vacuum.
*S/he anticipates that you are going to tear, and wants to give you a guided cut instead of letting you tear in a haphazard way
Some women suffer a tear of this same area (between the vagina and the anus) as their baby is passing through the birth canal.Both a laceration and an episiotomy should be repaired. The repair is done with a suture that will be absorbed over a few months by your body. Thankfully these sutures will not have to be removed in the office.
A healing episiotomy or laceration will be sore. Initially there is a lot of swelling and light bleeding. What are ways to reduce the discomfort after an episiotomy or a laceration?
*Do sitz baths
*Use ice packs or packs of frozen peas (nice substitute)
*Use witch hazel cooling pads--You can make your own witch hazel pad by soaking a sanitary napkin in witch hazel, then freezing it.
It probably also helps to wear breathable clothing and undergarments.
One of the best tips is to avoid getting frustrated or impatient. It can take some weeks until you feel like yourself again. Remember you are discouraged from having sex until after your 6 week check up, so tell your partner to cool it too.
Warning signs that you are not healing well, or that you might have an infection of your poum poum: a smelly, colorful (like green or yellow) discharge coming from the wound. If it is red, like fresh beef, that is a good sign that the layers are healing well.
Yes having a sore poum poum stinks. But be encouraged, each subsequent baby gets easier to deliver. You may not ever tear or need to be cut again. Plus the vagina is very forgiving, it heals well and can stretch and recoil. On the other hand, your abdominal muscles are not so forgiving. It sounds easier to get a csection and avoid the labor pain. That is only half the truth. Women with a csection ache for weeks too, but in their abdomen. Some of them never get their abs back completely. Plus a csection is major surgery and should not be taken lightly.
