Episiotomy Blood Loss

The National Birth Center Study Part II—Intrapartum and immediate postpartum and neonatal care

“…Disadvantages of unnecessary episiotomies include extension of the incision by laceration into the anal sphincter or rectum, unsatisfactory anatomic results of episiotomy repair, blood loss, postpartum pain, dyspareunia, and distraction of the mother from involvement with her newborn in the period immediately after the birth, during which it is necessary to repair the episiotomy (61). Although episiotomies are the most significant cause of blood loss in many vaginal deliveries, especially among women having their first births (64–66), the most serious problem is rectal injury. A study of 2,706 spontaneous cephalic deliveries found a relative risk of 8.9 (95% confidence intervals of 6.1–13.0) associated with midline episiotomies when simultaneously controlling for six other explanatory factors (67).…”

Characteristics associated with perineal condition in an alternative birth center

“…Some have even found the use of episiotomy to be associated with more extensive perineal lacerations 5,7 , 20,21 . The episiotomy is the single most significant source of blood loss in vaginal deliveries, especially in primiparous women 22‐24 . The episiotomy also has been linked to increased perineal discomfort in the early postpartum period 7,11 .…”

Comparison between different perineal outcomes on tissue healing

“…It is reported that blood loss can be a considerable complication of episiotomies. Odell and Seski 16 studied 71 primiparas with mediolateral episiotomies and reported that the episiotomy was frequently the greatest source of blood loss during the delivery. Newton et al 17 studied 68 low‐risk multiparas and found that those with episiotomies ( n = 15), had significantly greater blood losses than those with intact perineums ( n = 41).…”