The Ministry of Health (MOH) warns against the risks of episiotomy (a surgical cut in the muscular area between the vaginal wall and the perineum), including increased likelihood of postnatal bleeding, need for blood transfusion, potential bacterial infections and pain while sitting, which undermines the mother and baby bonding, in addition to chronic coital pain and lack of sexual pleasure. Also, episiotomy may extend to anus and rectum; causing stool incontinence and vagino-rectal fistula.
In addition, episiotomy involves improper healing of wounds; leading to granulation tissue polyps, episiotomy site deformity, tight or flaccid vaginal orifice, increased likelihood of episiotomy in a second birth.
"Episiotomy is not scientifically required for a virgin. Rather, it incurs lots of problems, while most virgins can give birth naturally.", stresses MOH.
MOH also advises not to have episiotomy except in the following birth cases: (the need to accelerate childbirth due to the baby's weak heartbeats while the doctor uses forceps or a kind of suction cup (vacuum extractor), or dystocia deliveries.
It is worth noting that episiotomy is a surgical cut in the muscular area between the vagina and the anus (the area called the perineum) made just before delivery to enlarge your vaginal opening, by a gynecologist or a state-registered midwives. MOH launches such awareness activities as part of its continued efforts to ensure safety and health of all individuals,to enhance health awareness, and to instill healthy lifestyles.