Catherine Beth Bayona

BSN 2B
RLE Asynchronous Activity

1. What is an episiotomy?
- An episiotomy is an incision made in the perineum — the tissue between the vaginal
opening and the anus during childbirth. This procedure was thought to help prevent
more extensive vaginal tears during childbirth — and heal better than a natural tear. The
procedure was also thought to help preserve the muscular and connective tissue support
of the pelvic floor.

2. What are the types of episiotomy, advantages, and disadvantages?

There are two types of episiotomy incisions:
- Midline (median) incision: done vertically. A midline incision is easier to repair, but it has
a higher risk of extending into the anal area.
- Mediolateral incision.: done at an angle. A mediolateral incision offers the best protection
from an extended tear affecting the anal area, but it is often more painful and is more
difficult to repair.
Evidence indicates that there are a number of benefits for implementing restricitve
policies versus routine episiotomy. The benefits include less posterior perineal trauma,
less suturing and fewer complications, no difference for most pain mersures and severe
vaginal or perineal trauma. Episiotomy recovery is uncomfortable, and sometimes the
surgical incision is more extensive than a natural tear would have been. Infection is
possible. For some women, an episiotomy causes pain during sex in the months after
delivery. A midline episiotomy puts you at risk of fourth-degree vaginal tearing, which
extends through the anal sphincter and into the mucous membrane that lines the rectum.
Fecal incontinence is a possible complication.

3. Who is allowed to perform episiotomy and episiorrhaphy?

- Episiotomy, also known as perineotomy, is a surgical incision of the perineum and the
posterior vaginal wall generally done by a midwife or obstetrician. Episiotomy is usually
performed during second stage of labor to quickly enlarge the opening for the baby to
pass through.

4. Enumerate your health teachings to a mother who had an episiotomy before leaving the
delivery room.

This study source was downloaded by 100000843044545 from CourseHero.com on 05-11-2022 08:54:38 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/93831383/BAYONA-episiotomydocx/
 - I will tell them to expect that this will eventually heal without problems, although it may
take many weeks. Stitches do not need to be removed. Body will absorb them. I will also
tell her that she can return to normal activities when she is ready, such as light office
work or house cleaning and wait 6 weeks before using tampons, having sex, and doing
other activities that might break the stitches.
- I will also advise the mother to relieve pain or discomfort by applying ice packs right
after the birth. Using ice packs in the first 24 hours after birth decreases the swelling and
helps with pain.
-Take warm baths but wait until 24 hours after she has given birth. Make sure that the
bathtub is cleaned with a disinfectant before every bath.
- Take medicine like ibuprofen to relieve pain.
- Use sitz baths (sit in water that covers vulvar area) a few times a day.
- Change pads every 2 to 4 hours.
- Keep the area around the stitches clean and dry. Pat the area dry with a clean towel
after taking a bath.
- After urinating, spray warm water over the area and pat dry with a clean towel or baby
wipe. Do not use toilet paper.
- Take stool softeners and drink lots of water. This will prevent constipation. Eating lots of
fiber will also help.
- Do Kegel exercises. Squeeze the muscles that you use to hold in urine for 5 minutes.
Do this 10 times a day throughout the day

5. What is the purpose of Perineal Preparation?

- During perineal preparation, perineal massage is believed to ease labor pain and
prevent episiotomies. Perineal massage is gentle, manual stretching of your pelvic floor to
prepare the muscles and skin between your vagina and rectum for the birth of your baby. The
goal is to reduce the risk of tearing and scarring when you deliver.
While the benefits of perineal preparation still have not been proven through scientific studies, it
may:

- Reduce the risk of perineal tearing and damage

- Reduce the risk of episiotomy
- Prevent scarring
- Reduce postpartum pain associated with tears and trauma
- Reduce the risk of postpartum urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence

Perineal massage may be more helpful if this is your first vaginal delivery and might be
especially beneficial if you have a very tight pelvic floor and have experienced pelvic pain.

This study source was downloaded by 100000843044545 from CourseHero.com on 05-11-2022 08:54:38 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/93831383/BAYONA-episiotomydocx/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)