Episiotomy During Birth

The perineum is the tissue between the vaginal opening and anus. The cut is not a routine requirement for every birth; the maternity team considers the immediate circumstances and should explain why it is being proposed.

A clinician may consider an episiotomy when the baby needs to be born more quickly, when an assisted vaginal birth is required, or when widening the vaginal opening may help the delivery.

Pain relief is given when circumstances allow. After birth, the clinician examines the perineum, controls bleeding, and closes the cut with stitches that usually dissolve. The examination also checks whether any tear extends beyond the incision.

Keep the area clean with water, change maternity pads regularly, wash hands before and after pad changes, and pat rather than rub the skin dry. Use pain medicine only as advised, especially while breastfeeding.

Gentle pelvic-floor exercises can support circulation and recovery when they feel comfortable. Prevent constipation with fluids, fibre, and any bowel medicine recommended by your maternity team, because straining can increase discomfort.

Contact your maternity service if pain is worsening instead of easing, the wound opens, or you notice increasing redness, swelling, pus, an unpleasant smell, fever, or difficulty passing urine or stool.

Urgent assessment is needed for heavy bleeding, faintness, severe weakness, breathlessness, or loss of bowel control. Persistent pain during sex, scar tenderness, or pelvic-floor symptoms also merit follow-up even after the skin appears healed.

During pregnancy, ask how your birth team approaches episiotomy and how consent is handled if labour becomes urgent. Afterward, ask what pain relief is compatible with feeding, when to resume exercise and sex, and where to obtain pelvic-floor support.