4th degree Laceration..ouch!

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Hi all...

Just wondering if there is any way the docs can prevent a 4th degree laceration/tear? Just curious...i've never personally experienced one, but i'm sure it hurts!! thanks!

Specializes in ICU, CVICU.

One of my fellow nursing students was talking about the 4th degree epi she saw at clinical and how all the doctors she saw cut epis. I was appalled but then our nursing professor started talking about how common it was. Is it me or is that just wrong information? I was under the impression that it is rarely done anymore.

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

At the hospital I clinical'ed at for OB, there were a few docs who snipped just about everyone. I wanted to vomit, then cry each time I heard/saw the snip (and yes, you can hear it. It sounds like when you use meat scissors to cut a chicken breast...sorry to be gross, but yeah.).

At the hospital I work at, they're rarely done, although there is a spike in July and August when the new batch floods in.

:angryfire

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Specializes in Mother/Baby;L/D.

the horror,, i can totally hear that awful snip kellny. i cringe when i hear it as well..its horrible:scrying:

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Our OBs rarely cut epis.

Wow this is fantastic as all the research that I have read indicates that the epis. rate within the usa on uncomplicated low risk births is still running at a very high 58%.

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Specializes in Community, OB, Nursery.

I have seen exactly 2 epis in the entire time I've been working mother-baby. And those were private docs, not residents. I'm glad OB is getting away from them.

Now if they would just let people squat while they give birth, we might avoid the 3rd degree lac that my pt last night had. For a 7lb baby. I have a hard time believing that, on this particular pt., that 3rd degree c VE assist was absolutely necessary.:angryfire

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

Our OBs have been good about this for years, at least 7 or so. I rarely see them cut anyone. They prefer to let the peri stretch and "prove" itself. They understand you create a really easy and clear path for tearing in an unwise or early and inappropriate cut. I am glad they do, cause it's not pretty. The hospital I used to work in, I saw 4th degrees every week, at least once. I also know the dr's used to cut episiotomies all the time. The correlation is clear in my mind.

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Specializes in NICU.

I'm a NICU nurse who attends high risk deliveries at a teaching hospital. I RARELY see epi's done. I can't even remember the last time I saw one.

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Specializes in Case Management.
I experienced on first hand...one of my kids was stuck by her cord and was deceling to beat the band...I had 2 epis so they could try to get to the cord and then basically she was yanked out.....I had a lady partsl c-section to say the least! It was a horrible recovery...took a lonnnng time. Now my pelvic floor is shot, so in the future, I am sure that will need some attention. I spent a lot of time in a sitz bath with that dermaplast spray!

Ouch! you poor thing. Was baby OK?

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Specializes in L&D,- Mother/Baby.

Let 'em labor down instead of starting to push the minute they hit 10 cm (or less).

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I agree w/you Memphis.

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