If there’s one thing you can avoid during labor…

What is an episiotomy?

An episiotomy is a planned cut by a doctor to your perineum in order to enlarge the opening for your baby to emerge.

Why Would Anyone Want an Episiotomy?

Now, you’re probably thinking that would make a lot of sense.

It’ll make it easier for your baby to emerge if the hole is bigger.

It’ll save you from a really bad tear.

If the doctor wants to do it then it must be the right thing for me to get cuz he’s the DOCTOR! Obviously he knows better!

Well let me let you in on a little secret. Any doctor who’s up on the latest studies knows that episiotomies, in almost all cases, do not contribute in any way to a better outcome.

If anything, they have found that women who have an episiotomy end up with a lot more pain down the road than they would have if their skin tore a little.

When Should you get an Episiotomy?

Episiotomies are called for in extremely rare cases and are not necessary on a routine basis. I don’t care if it’s your first pregnancy and what if your vagina isn’t big enough!

In fact, episiotomies have been found to cause more harm and pain than tearing.

There is a known outcome when you get an episiotomy you will definitely need stitches.
There is a chance when you don’t get an episiotomy that you will NOT need stitches.

If you tear once you have an episiotomy then the tear may be much worse than if you didn’t have one.

So how do you prevent this from happening to you?

Have a conversation with your OB or midwife.
Open up a discussion with them about your preferences.