Tips for Normal Childbirth Without Suture

Having a baby is a happy gift. However, many expectant mothers feel afraid when they face the process of giving birth. One cause of this concern is pain when sewn. But actually, Mother can give birth normally without stitches. In normal labor, the area of the perineum (the area between the vagina and the anus) is able to stretch when the baby is out. However, the risk of tearing perineum if the strain is too strong or less elastic perineum. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to take episiotomy or perineal clipping to make it easier for the baby to be born, and to prevent tears in the perineum toward the anus. Not all perineums that are torn during childbirth need to be sewn. Suture is only necessary if the perineal tear is deep and wide enough to reach the muscle tissue, vaginal wall, urinary tract, or anus. Meanwhile, if the tear is mild and does not affect these parts, usually there is no need for sewing. Some factors that can increase the risk of perineal tearing are:

• First birth
• Have experienced severe tears in the perineum
• Had an episiotomy
• Difficult baby positions at birth, such as the face facing the birth canal or shoulders stuck
• Baby's large body size
• Long delivery time
• Labor that requires the help of forceps.

Tips for Normal Childbirth Without Suture

There are several steps you can take in order to give birth normally without stitches, namely:

Implement a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy

Apply a healthy diet during pregnancy and complete with exercise, such as pregnancy exercises or yoga for pregnant women, so that the body is stronger. Exercise increases blood circulation, so the birth canal becomes more elastic and can stretch better. A study also states that regular exercise during pregnancy can reduce the risk of tears in the birth canal.

Perform perineal massage

Massaging the tissue around the vagina will make it more flexible, so that it can increase the likelihood of a normal delivery without stitches. Perineal massage can begin when the pregnancy is 34 weeks old, and this method has been proven to be effective in preventing perineal tears during normal childbirth. Perform perineum massage every day for 5 minutes. Perineal massage can be done alone with the help of a mirror or done by a partner. You can also ask for help from a midwife to do this massage.

Choose the position during delivery

Certain body positions during childbirth can reduce pressure on the perineum, so the risk of tears will be smaller. Among these are the position of squatting, kneeling, or lying on your side.

Give a warm compress to the perineum

Warm temperatures will make blood flow increase and relax the muscles around the perineum. Apply a warm compress by placing a towel or warm cloth around the perineum, at the time of delivery. If possible, ask someone to press the perineum with a warm towel to keep it from tearing when the baby's head is pushed out of the birth canal.

Regulate the stretch of the birth canal muscle

At the time of delivery, the doctor or midwife will give a signal when the mother gave birth to push. When the baby's head starts to appear, then the mother giving birth will be asked to stop pushing and take a few short breaths that are issued through the mouth. This will make the baby's head come out slowly, so that the muscles and skin of the perineum can stretch without tearing. Therefore, you need to follow their cues in order to give birth normally without stitches. Tips on giving birth without stitches that should be done since the age of the womb is still young is to adopt a healthy lifestyle and do light exercise regularly. As for the perineal massage, a good birthing position, and warm compresses of the perineum during labor, you can further consult with your obstetrician.