Delivery method, anal sphincter tears and fecal incontinence: new information on a persistent problem.
By Danell Swim
January 16, 2008
A recent study debunks the myth that vaginal birth leads to incontinence later in life. Instead, the culprit is episotomy and forceps/vacuum extraction. Since both are much more likely if the laboring woman has an epidural, it’s no small wonder that so many women are worried about that today.
SUMMARY: The modifiable risk factors of routine episotomy and instrumented delivery are associated with sphincter tear; definitive recommendations for labor management remain unclear in preventing fecal incontinence.
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