December 13, 2016.
Episiotomy too frequent in France? Many French women worry about it when choosing the maternity hospital where they are going to give birth. A YouGov survey, conducted for 20 minutes, reveals that 55% of women believe they lack information on the subject.
Some maternities practice more episiotomy than others
For most women, an episiotomy is an unpleasant discovery made on the delivery table when they have just given birth and are learning that, to facilitate the passage of the latter, their perineum has had to be slightly incised. Many women today believe that a great taboo reigns in France on this subject. According to a YouGov poll, conducted for the daily 20 minutes, 55% of women feel they are not informed enough about episiotomy.
A phenomenon aggravated by a finding: all maternity hospitals are not equal when it comes to this intervention and when some use and abuse it, others practice it much more sparingly. This information does not fail to circulate today and according to the survey revealed by the daily, 65% of the women questioned make this information an important criterion in the choice of the maternity hospital where they will give birth.
Less than 20% episiotomies for a second child
May women be reassured, in general, French maternity hospitals are currently following the global trend which is towards a constant reduction in the rate of episiotomies. A government survey conducted in 2011 and cited by 20 minutes indeed shows that the episiotomy rate has increased from 71% for a first childbirth in 1998 to 44% today. In the case of a delivery for a second or more child, this rate has even fallen to 19%.
Until recently, episiotomy was considered a reliable way to prevent tears of the perineum but also to anticipate possible damage to the muscles of the anal and urinary sphincters which could lead to incontinence later. Numerous studies have gradually shown that this intervention does not always provide the expected benefit. and many practitioners are abandoning this practice today.
Read also: Recovering after childbirth
