every woman who had a normal delivery are more likely to have a vaginal tear during delivery. This tear in the vagina can be light, it can also be heavy. However,do not worried. Athere are some things that can be done reduce risk of vaginal tears during childbirth.
A torn vagina is a condition that is often experienced by women during normal childbirth, especially women who are giving birth for the first time. Usually, the tear occurs in the perineum, which is the area between the vagina and anus.
In some conditions, such as large baby size, severe vaginal tearing can occur. To prevent this, the doctor or midwife will usually perform an episiotomy or an incision in the vagina to help the baby come out.
In fact, episiotomy also causes vaginal tears. However, the episiotomy incision is made in such a way that the damage to the tissue in this area is not severe. The incision can also be made slightly sideways, away from the anus, to prevent damage to the anus that can cause fecal incontinence.
Even so, severe vaginal tears can still occur even after an episiotomy has been performed.
Prevents Vaginal Tearing During Childbirth
As explained above, there is no single method that can definitely prevent vaginal tearing during childbirth. However, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of a serious tear. These efforts include:
1. Regular exercise during pregnancy
Exercising regularly and doing Kegel exercises can increase the strength of the pelvis and muscles of the birth canal. This is useful for preparing the body of pregnant women for childbirth.
Several studies have also shown that women who regularly exercise and do Kegel exercises during pregnancy have a lower risk of developing a severe birth canal tear.
2. Perineal massage
Do massage the perineal area regularly starting from 3-4 weeks before the predicted date of birth. This action can flex the perineal tissue for later labor.
You only need to do it for about 5 minutes per day. Use a special oil or water-based lubricant when massaging.
3. Compress warm water
Compressing the perineal area with a cloth soaked in warm water before delivery can make the muscles of the birth canal more flexible, thereby reducing the risk of tearing during delivery. You can ask a nurse for help to do this compress.
4. Straining well
During the second stage of labor or the push stage, don't rush or push yourself too much. To make the process of pushing the baby out more smoothly and effectively, your midwife or doctor will guide you to push.
Follow directions or cues from your midwife or doctor during the birthing process. This good way of pushing is important so that the tissue around the birth canal can stretch perfectly and make room for the baby to come out.
5. Applying oil or lubricant
During labor, rubbing the perineal area with oils or lubricants, such as olive oil and vitamin E oil, can also help facilitate labor. This will help the baby come out more easily and reduce friction.
In addition to the methods above, choosing the right position during childbirth can also reduce the risk of vaginal tearing. Compared to lying on your back, sitting upright makes it easier to give birth. Your doctor or midwife will help you determine the right position for delivery later.
Treatment for a torn vagina during labor
The main treatment for vaginal tears during delivery is suturing the torn wound. Before suturing the wound, the doctor or midwife will give a local anesthetic to the area that is experiencing the tear. The goal is to make you feel more comfortable and less painful when the wound is stitched.
After delivery and suturing is complete, the doctor will tell you what you can and cannot do during your recovery and home care. For example, you need to regularly compress the tear with ice water, get enough rest, and don't have sex first. This is done so that the stitches heal quickly.
Although it can't be completely prevented, the risk of vaginal tearing during delivery can be minimized by the ways above. In addition, make sure you regularly check with your obstetrician during pregnancy, so that you and your fetus can continue to be monitored.
