Having a baby is a happy gift. However, many mothers-to-be feel afraid when they are about to face the birthing process. One cause for this concern is pain during stitches. But actually, you can how come normal delivery without stitches.
In a normal delivery, the perineal area (the area between the vagina and anus) is able to stretch when the baby comes out. However, the perineum is at risk of tearing if the stretch is too strong or the perineum is less elastic. Therefore, sometimes an episiotomy or perineal cutting is needed to make it easier for the baby to be born, and to prevent tearing of the perineum towards the anus.
Not all perineum that is torn during delivery needs to be sutured. Sutures are only needed if the perineal tear is deep and wide enough to involve muscle tissue, vaginal walls, urinary tract, or anus. Meanwhile, if the tear is light and does not affect these parts, usually no stitching is needed.
Some factors that can increase the risk of tearing the perineum are:
- First time giving birth
- Have experienced a severe tear in the perineum
- Have you ever had an episiotomy?
- Difficult position of the baby at birth, such as face facing the birth canal or shoulder stuck
- Big baby body size
- Long labor time
- Delivery that requires the help of forceps.
Tips for Normal Birth Without Stitches
There are several steps that can be taken in order to be able to give birth normally without stitches, namely:
Applying a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy Perform perineal massage Massaging movements of the tissue around the vagina will make it more flexible, thus increasing the chances of a vaginal delivery without stitches. Perineal massage can be started when the pregnancy is 34 weeks, and this method has been proven to be effective in preventing perineal tears during normal delivery. Do a perineal massage every day for 5 minutes. Perineal massage can be done alone with the help of a mirror or done by a partner. You can also ask your midwife for help to do this massage. Choosing a position during childbirth Certain body positions during childbirth can reduce pressure on the perineum, so the risk of tearing will be smaller. These include squatting, kneeling, or lying on your side. Give a warm compress to the perineum Warm temperatures will increase blood flow and relax the muscles around the perineum. Perform a warm compress by placing a towel or warm cloth around the perineum, during delivery. If possible, ask someone to press the perineum with a warm towel to keep it from tearing when the baby's head is pushed out of the birth canal. Regulate the muscle stretch of the birth canal At the time of delivery, the doctor or midwife will give a signal when the mother gives birth to push. When the baby's head is visible, the mother will be asked to stop pushing and take a few short breaths through the mouth. This will allow the baby's head to come out slowly, so the muscles and skin of the perineum can stretch without tearing. Therefore, you need to follow their cues in order to have a normal delivery without stitches. Tips for normal delivery without stitches that must be done since the gestational age is still young is to apply a healthy lifestyle and do light exercise regularly. As for perineal massage, good birthing position, and perineal warm compresses during delivery, you can consult further with your obstetrician.