PREGNANCY-BIRTH Messages for January, 1999: Re: maternal injury during childbirth

Re: maternal injury during childbirth

From: D. Ashley Hill, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 27 Jan 1999 19:18:49 -0600 (CST)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Beth: "pregnancy chances after 40"
Previous message: Sarah: "Re: Childbirth Practices"
In reply to: mary: "maternal injury during childbirth"

At Tue, 26 Jan 1999, mary wrote: >
>I suffered a 3rd degree extension from a mediolateral episiotomy.

A small introitus is almost certainly the cause of your 3-degree tear. As the baby is born, it stretches the opening of the vagina. Whether or not an episiotomy is performed, the stretching is worse when the opening is smaller.

I don't know about 3-degree extensions with mediolateral episiotomies, because this type of episiotomy is not commonly performed in the US (it's quite popular in many European countries). In the US, the overwhelming majority of episiotomies are midline. In fact, I would bet that your doctor was thinking "wow, that's a small introitus...I better cut a mediolateral to decrease the chance of tearing (yes, we actually think this stuff during a delivery)" Poor guy probably thought he was pretty cool, until he saw the 3-degree tear! You win a few, lose a few.

Congratulations on the baby. I usually prescribe stool softeners for 6-8 weeks after a 3- or 4th degree tear.

Best wishes,

-- Ashley Hill David Ashley Hill, M.D. Associate Director Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Florida Hospital Family Practice Residency Orlando, FL http://home.mpinet.net/dahmd

The above is intended for general medical education, and is not for specific medical advice. I apologize, but I am unable to answer personal e-mail due to time constraints.

Next message: Beth: "pregnancy chances after 40"
Previous message: Sarah: "Re: Childbirth Practices"
In reply to: mary: "maternal injury during childbirth"

use when must restrict search to only the pregnancy & birth forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: