Pregnancy & Childbirth

Experts now agree that there are few, if any, benefits to the mother when care providers perform an episiotomy during labor. And in fact the case to avoid doing episiotomies just got even stronger.

The June issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology has published a study that indicates that doing episiotomies previously was more likely to cause tearing in subsequent births.

Over 6,000 mothers were included in the study from 1995 to 2005 with nearly 50% of the total having had episiotomies. Only 26% of the mothers who did not have an episiotomy the first time ended up with a second degree tear, while over 50% of the mothers with episiotomies had second degree lacerations with later births.

Researchers found that having a prior episiotomy was a significant risk factor for both second degree tears as well as deeper tears, such as third or fourth degree lacerations.

If you are interested in reducing your chances of tearing, talk to your own care provider about this research and other ways to avoid an episiotomy.

Brenda