ATTENTION PREGNANT PEOPLE: study finds episiotomy NOT beneficial

[Nothing Without Hope]

That is, the new study results indicate that episiotomy should be used ONLY when truly needed, not as a routine step in delivery. I recommend reading the comments in this thread as well as the article in the opening post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3596797
Thread title: "ATTENTION PREGNANT PEOPLE: study finds episiotomy NOT beneficial"/b]

[Digit]

1. This is good news

I had a C-Section since my child was breech, so I did not have to endure this procedure, but this is something women far and wide need to know.

[Nothing Without Hope]

2. I suggest reading the article - it's saying ROUTINE use is not beneficial

but of course there will be situations when it is needed. Every woman facing delivery should make sure her doctor knows about these study findings and takes them into consideration. From some of the replies in the main thread (where I posted the article in GD earlier today), willingness to properly apply perineal massage is also important.

[HuckleB]

3. This isn't new news, in general, though further knowledge is good.

Past research has already shown that routine episiotomies:

1. Don't prevent tears into or through the anal sphincter.
2. Don't prevent relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles, urinary incontinence, herniations of the bladder into the vagina, or vaginal or uterine prolapse.
3. Don't prevent brain damage.
4. Don't cause less pain than do tears.
5. Don't shorten second-stage labor.

Past research has also shown that routine episiotomies:

1. Do increase the risk of infection, delayed healing, wound breakdown, the formation of an opening between the vagina and rectum, and gas or stool incontinence.
2. Do increase blood loss.

All of this has been acknowledged by the better researched books on pregnancy since at least the late '90s.