Women, particularly those who are pregnant for the first time should talk to their doctor about a procedure known as an episiotomy which is performed when there is a need to "speed along" the delivery of a child. This procedure can have side effects which include faecal incontinence and uncontrolled passing of gas both of which can be worrisome and embarrassing.
An episiotomy procedure involves cutting the muscle tissue between the vagina and the rectum to allow for a larger vaginal opening which in turn should make for a faster delivery of the child. This procedure is not without its risks however. There is the possibility of excessive bleeding and infection along with causing faecal incontinence.
Women should discuss this procedure with their physicians and learn under which circumstances it may be used. They should also discuss alternatives to this procedure and discuss the pros and cons of those methods as well. Lastly they should agree upon when and under what conditions an episiotomy will be performed.
As mentioned, cutting the muscles can cause the uncontrolled passage of feces and that obviously can cause an additional stress on the new mother. There are incontinence products that can help her manage the condition but the real solution is exercising the muscles of the pelvic floor.
There is an exercise regimen known as Kegel exercises that are designed to strengthen the muscles and regain control of bowel movements. These exercises consist basically of a series of isometric routines and require no special equipment or space to perform.
However Kegel exercise, like all exercise routines, takes time to work and requires a real dedication to perform. Real results typically are not seen until three or four months after beginning.
Faecal incontinence as the result of an episiotomy is something that happens in life because you have to make a choice of protecting your own body or protecting the birth. It's not impossible to overcome and should be viewed as a temporary condition if you work on correcting it through exercise.