What is the difference between straight cut and side cut? Which is better?

During childbirth, a woman needs to make an incision in the perineum or vagina to widen the birth passage, a process called an episiotomy. Episiotomy can be performed in two ways: straight or lateral. These two methods have different advantages and disadvantages, which will be introduced in detail below. A straight incision means that the perineal incision is made directly perpendicular to the center of the anus and perineum. The advantage of this method is that the incision is short and the incision is fast, making it suitable for delivery in emergency situations. However, a straight cut weakens the perineal muscles, increasing the risk of perineal tearing and postpartum recovery. At the same time, straight cuts may also affect sexual function. Lateral incision means that the perineal incision is made along the direction of the perineal muscle fibers, usually at a 45-degree angle between the anus and labia. The advantage of this method is that it can reduce the damage to the perineal muscles, and recovery will be faster for women who need to expand the delivery channel. However, side incisions may also result in severing of the perineal muscles, increasing the risk of perineal tears. Which is better? Choosing between a straight or side incision depends on many factors, including the mode of delivery, fetal size, and the condition of the mother\’s perineum. Typically, lateral incision is preferred because it reduces damage to the perineal muscles and is better in terms of postpartum recovery. However, if labor is imminent and the birth passage needs to be widened as quickly as possible, a straight incision may be more appropriate. In short, both straight incision and lateral incision are commonly used episiotomy methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing an incision method, mothers and doctors should weigh and make decisions based on the specific circumstances. No matter which method is chosen, damage to the perineal muscles should be minimized to promote postpartum recovery and protect maternal health.