Question

An episiotomy is a surgical incision made into the perineum to enlarge the vaginal orifice __________ as the infant moves out of the birth canal.

A to prevent suffocation of the infant
B so the infant does not get stuck
C to prevent tearing of the tissues
D all of the above

Answer 1

An episiotomy is done primarily to prevent uncontrolled tearing of the tissues as the infant moves out of the birth canal, and the correct answer is C: to prevent tearing of the tissues.

Step-by-step explanation:

An episiotomy is a surgical incision made into the perineum to enlarge the vaginal orifice to prevent tearing of the tissues as the infant moves out of the birth canal. While the practice used to be routine to help facilitate vaginal birth and prevent complications, it is now more common for the perineum to tear naturally during childbirth. The perineum may still be numbed and an episiotomy performed if deemed necessary. When an episiotomy or a natural tear occurs, sutures are applied shortly after birth to ensure optimal healing. Natural tears are often associated with quicker healing and less damage compared to episiotomies. Nonetheless, the primary reason for an episiotomy is the prevention of uncontrolled tearing during delivery