It also decreases the incidence of urinary incontinence in later life. Episiotomy has not been shown to have any significant effect on either of these things. Exercise and heredity have the greatest influence on pelvic muscle strength. Every woman should learn how to do Kegel exercises and should incorporate them into her daily life. Whole body exercise such as weight training, swimming, and non-impact aerobics can also make a big difference in pelvic muscle strength.
Episiotomy is safer for the baby and makes for a gentler birth.
Babies are made to be born. They are ideally suited for the passage through the birth canal, just as women are built to give birth. Occasionally, a situation will arise in which the baby's heart rate drops to a dangerously low rate just prior to delivery and does not seem to be recovering to a normal rate within a reasonable period of time. Episiotomy is an appropriate step to take in attempting to speed the birth of the baby in that situation. This is a matter of judgment, and you must trust your midwife or doctor to make that decision when the time comes.