Articles
Episiotomy: When it's needed, when it's not
The role of warm compresses and tissue massage
The episiotomy tradition
The new approach
Healing from an episiotomy
Accept some uncertainty
Content
The history
Today's approach
How it works
Episiotomy risks
Healing after an episiotomy
Learn what to expect
The episiotomy tradition
The new approach
Healing from an episiotomy
Accept some uncertainty
Content
The history
Today's approach
How it works
Episiotomy risks
Healing after an episiotomy
Learn what to expect
Episiotomy risks
Episiotomy recovery often involves some discomfort. Sometimes the cut is bigger or deeper than a natural tear would have been. Infection is possible after an episiotomy. And for some people, an episiotomy causes pain during sex in the months after childbirth.
A midline episiotomy raises the risk of serious vaginal tears. These tears can go into the anus and effect the rectum. That can make it hard to hold in bowel movements, a condition called fecal incontinence.
