Contrary to WHO recommendations, one in three women is operated on during the delivery of the vulva.
- In the Spanish State, women who produce vaginal episiotomy are still practiced more of the current account in the Spanish State. It has been shown to leave both physical and psychological sequelae.
According to the publication Eldiario.es, 27.5% of the women who gave birth in public hospitals in the Spanish state performed an episiotomy in 2018. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that intervention be carried out only when necessary, i.e. when the child or mother is at risk and needs medical assistance for childbirth. However, it is usually a common practice in hospitals, which in many cases is performed without the consent of the woman. A surgical incision is made using a scalpel or scissors in the perineum of the delivery, in the part that goes from the vagina to the anus, to facilitate the baby's exit, to which points are placed. It has been shown that it can have physical and psychological sequelae such as chronic pain, incontinence or post-traumatic stress.
In the 1990s, it was an episiotomy rule; it is estimated that 87% of deliveries were performed like this. In 2006, episiotomy was performed in 54% of births and in 2018 in 42% of births. Although the percentage has decreased year after year, it is still much higher than recommended, with an episiotomy that should be used in less than 15% of births and currently stands at almost 30%.
Obstetric violence
Episiotomy is one of the obstetric violence reported by several women in recent years. Eldiario.es has collected many testimonies, one of which occurred at the public hospital in Bilbao. A mother has denounced that in 2012 she went to have a second child, very dilated and without any kind of problem, as the delivery presented no risk. The woman observed that the midwife collected an instrument: “He didn’t tell me anything, but I saw it clear. I told him I didn't want episiotomy and he responded that it was he who would decide. I repeated it six or seven times. It didn't give me any reason to be cut off. I held my hands on the perineum and begged him not to interrupt me. I was afraid. All of a sudden I felt that my daughter was coming out very soon. Then I knew I had made a cut.” Subsequently, several professionals assured her that in her case, the episiotomy was not necessary and filed a complaint in the court, which was rejected. The defendant has explained that he has suffered physical and psychological sequelae over the years.
