Sometimes a doctor or midwife may need to make a cut in the area between the vagina and anus (perineum) during childbirth. This is called an episiotomy. An episiotomy makes the opening of the vagina a bit wider, allowing the baby to come through it more easily. Sometimes a woman’s perineum may tear as their baby comes out. In some births, an episiotomy can help to prevent a severe tear or speed up delivery if the baby needs to be born quickly (for example an episiotomy may be recommended if your baby develops a condition known as foetal distress, where the baby’s heart rate gets faster or slower before birth.). If your doctor or midwife feels you need an episiotomy when you’re in labour, they will discuss this with you.[1]https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/episiotomy-and-perineal-tears/
Recovery can be uncomfortable. The amount of pain you have depends on how deep and long the incision is. You may have pain when you sit, walk, urinate, or have bowel movements. If you get enough fibre and fluids and use stool softeners or laxatives, you may have less pain during bowel movements. Using ice packs or sitting in warm water (a sitz bath) several times a day may also help with pain. Contact your health care provider if the pain intensifies, you develop a fever or the wound produces a pus-like discharge. These could be signs and symptoms of an infection. [2]https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/labor-and-delivery/in-depth/episiotomy/art-20047282
Most women say they have less pain or discomfort after the first week. Most episiotomies heal in 3 weeks. But it may take longer.[3]https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/aftercareinformation/pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=zc2338