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Fewer Episiotomies Urged
Incision rates are falling but "but they're still way too high" says
Anne Weber, an obstetrician and gynecologist at the University of
Pittsburgh Medical School. In 1979 the cuts were done in 56% in
vaginal births, and fell to 31% of births by 1997. But the incisions
are medically needed in less than 10% of births, she says. Weber's
findings are from the National Hospital Discharge Survey, a federal
database on medical care at a sample of Hospitals.
Women who get episiotomies suffer more bleeding, infection and pain
than those who do without the cut, Weber says. But the worst outcome
is serious tissue tears that can lead to later bowel incontinence or
gas. Only 1 in 26 woman whose babies are born without the cut
develops these lacerations. For women with episiotomies, studies show
between 1 out of 5 and 1 out of 12 will get tears. Time pressure
might be the reason that rates continue higher then needed, Weber says
who co-authored a review of research that showed doing the cuts
routinely isn't better for either mother or baby.
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