Articles of category "Obstetric surgery"

Episiotomy -- the surgical procedure to expand the vaginal opening during delivery, is done in so many cases that some medical specialists consider it a normal part of the delivery process. It is intended to help the baby pass more easily at the time of the childbirth. But, like many other medical interventions, episiotomy common uses have gone through much criticism lately because both doctors and patients started questioning whether this surgery can really cause more good than harm.

During pregnancy amniotic membrane ruptures when a tear or hole occurs in the water bag (also known as the "amniotic sac"), surrounding the fetus to protect it. The membranes rupture is commonly called "breaking the water". Amniotic membranes can rupture by themselves (that is called "spontaneous rupture"), or they can be ruptured by the health care provider or midwife to start or speed the labors ("artificial rupture"). The spontaneous rupture most often occurs when active labors have started, not before they start. In this article we'll focus on the artificial rupture of the amniotic membrane (amniotomy), general surgery information and its reasons and uses.