episiotomies
Birthing surgical cuts
Episiotomies is the plural of episiotomy, a surgical incision made in the perineum during childbirth to enlarge the vaginal opening and prevent tearing.
Once routine in obstetrics, the procedure has become less common as evidence showed that natural tearing often heals better than surgical cuts: The hospital reduced its rate of episiotomies after reviewing outcomes.
Controlled cut into tissue
- perineumArea between genitals, anus
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- childbirthInfant's emergence from womb
- stitchesThread fastening wounds
midline · scissors · laceration · repair · suturing · obstetrician · midwife · crowning
Restoration of health
- stitchesThread fastening wounds
- sitz bathShallow therapeutic basin
- pain reliefEasing of discomfort
- swellingAbnormal tissue enlargement
soreness · ice packs · wound care · infection · scarring · discomfort · sitting · tenderness
Regular sequence of actions
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- evidence-basedSupported by verified data
- medicalizationReframing problems as disorders
intervention · autonomy · rates · guidelines · WHO · elective · restrictive · liberal
incision
Controlled cut into tissue
- perineumArea between genitals, anus
- deliveryConveyance of goods
- childbirthInfant's emergence from womb
stitches · midline · scissors · laceration · repair · suturing · obstetrician · midwife · crowning · vaginal
healing
Restoration of health
- stitchesThread fastening wounds
- sitz bathShallow therapeutic basin
- pain reliefEasing of discomfort
swelling · soreness · ice packs · wound care · infection · scarring · discomfort · sitting · tenderness · antibiotics
routine
Regular sequence of actions
- unnecessaryNot essential or required
- consentVoluntary agreement given
- evidence-basedSupported by verified data
medicalization · intervention · autonomy · rates · guidelines · WHO · elective · restrictive · liberal · indication