In layman's terms, episiotomy means that during delivery, in order to avoid secondary tearing of the perineum of a pregnant woman, a doctor or midwife makes a cut in the perineum to ensure a smooth delivery of the baby. This is medically called an "episiotomy."

Generally, episiotomy must be performed as soon as possible in the following situations:

1. If the fetus has a larger head, the doctor will need a slightly larger space to operate and deliver the baby

2. If the perineum has poor elasticity and the vaginal opening is narrow, it is estimated that the fetus will tear during delivery.

3. Mothers with abnormal physical conditions, such as elderly women, or women with high-risk conditions such as heart disease and pregnancy-induced hypertension

4. Fetal distress, for example, the fetus is in a state of obvious hypoxia, the fetal heart rate changes abnormally and the heartbeat rhythm changes significantly, and the amniotic fluid in the mother is turbid or mixed with meconium.

5. When using forceps or fetal head suction device to assist delivery

6. The fetus is in breech position

7. When the second stage of labor is too long, lateral incision may be appropriately considered

Many expectant mothers worry that episiotomy surgery will affect their future sexual life. In fact, there is nothing to worry about. Generally, the incision of the side incision is smaller and the side incision can be recovered within a few weeks after the operation, and the recovered vagina will not have any sequelae.

Although side incision is not harmful, it is best to avoid side incision if possible. So how can pregnant women avoid side incision before pregnancy? There are several methods:

1. Diet control during pregnancy

One situation that requires lateral incision is when the baby is too heavy to come out, so to avoid lateral incision, pregnant women should pay attention to control their diet during pregnancy and not let their own weight be too heavy, which will affect the weight of the baby.

2. Pay attention to physical exercise during pregnancy

It is essential for pregnant women to engage in appropriate exercise during pregnancy. Exercise for pregnant women can not only improve their physical fitness and enhance their body resistance, but can also make them more powerful when giving birth and promote smooth delivery. , reduce the chance of side cutting.

3. Exercise sphincter muscles

Massage the vaginal and anal muscles regularly, lasting about 9 seconds each time. This allows pregnant women to better control the perineal muscles during delivery to promote smooth delivery.

4. Learn to cooperate during childbirth

Pregnant women should pay attention to conserving their physical strength during the first stage of labor; during the second stage of labor, they should actively cooperate with the doctor, exert force when they should, and pay attention to conserving their physical strength when they should not.

Not every parturient will need an episiotomy. Generally, doctors in the hospital will ask the pregnant woman in advance about her pelvis, fetus, fetal position, birth canal, perineum, etc., in order to make a comprehensive analysis and assessment. The specific analysis of the problem should be whether lateral resection should be performed.