subject: Faecal Incontinence – A Risk of an Episiotomy [print this page] Faecal Incontinence A Risk of an Episiotomy
Childbirth is a wonderful thing but for the mother it can also be fraught with complications and her body can take a beating in the process. One of the risks of childbirth is faecal incontinence caused by an episiotomy.
An episiotomy is a procedure that physicians use if there is a danger of tearing the delicate muscles located between the rectum and the vagina. If the mother has a particularly large baby or if there is a need to hasten the delivery, this procedure may be used. Essentially the birth canal is enlarged by making a snip to widen the channel. Obviously not all women have to have this done and it is usually first time pregnancies that risk having it done at all. Subsequent pregnancies rarely need to have the procedure repeated.
While it is a common practice, it can come with risks including excessive bleeding, infection and the risk of damaging the anal sphincter muscle. If this muscle is in fact damaged, the mother may experience a loss of control when it comes to passing gas or stools. This can turn into a significant lifestyle changer if not treated.
One way to prevent or at least mitigate damage to the sphincter is to practice Kegel exercises before and during the pregnancy. These exercises are designed to strengthen all of the muscles in the pelvic floor including the anal sphincter. If that muscle is damaged as a result of an episiotomy, it will recover faster if it was toned and strong to begin with.
Kegel exercise is often prescribed for faecal incontinence and it offers the additional benefit of improving all the pelvic floor muscles which encourages better continence health. When those muscles are strong they can properly support the organs in the abdomen and eliminate internal pressures on the bladder caused by organs shifting.
There are other alternatives to an episiotomy and if you want to take out the risk of faecal incontinence you should discuss these areas with your doctor. Before you deliver you should know how and when an episiotomy would be performed and insure it meets with your expectations.
