Sewing a tear or episiotomy
If possible, you should also have:
needle holder
to grip the
needle
forceps or
toothed tweezers
to hold muscle
while you sew
sterile needle
and syringe for
giving
anesthetic
local anesthetic
(medicine to make
the area around
the tear numb)
Note: See page 59 to learn how to sterilize your tools.
Getting ready to sew a tear
Ask the mother to lie on
her back with her legs
bent and open.
Wash your hands
(see page 53).
Put on sterile
gloves.
Set your sterile tools
on a sterile cloth.
Put a sterile cloth under
the mother’s bottom.
Gently wash the tear with
warm boiled water and
disinfectant or mild soap.
Ask a helper to shine
a light on the tear.
359
A Book for Midwives (2010)