Another way to inject the medicine is
to put several small doses along the
sides of the tear. Inject a dose just
under the skin at each x spot.
Sewing a tear or episiotomy
If the tear is in the lips of the
genitals, you can inject little doses
of medicine around it.
If there is still some medicine left in the syringe, set it down on your sterile cloth.
You may need to use a little more medicine later.
General rules for sewing tears
• Do not sew until after the placenta has come out, and you are sure the
mother and baby are healthy.
• Wear gloves and use sterile tools.
• Sew tears inside the vagina before tears of the skin.
• Think about what parts should be sewn to each other, and where to put
each stitch, before you put the stitch in.
• Use as few stitches as you can — just enough to hold the tear together.
• Do not sew blood clots or hairs into the tear. This can cause infection.
• To be sure the womb is small and hard, have a helper check it from time to
time as you sew. Do not forget to watch the mother’s overall health.
• Know your limits. If a tear looks too deep or complicated, get medical help.
Sewing well takes practice. To learn how, try tearing a piece of meat and
sewing it closed.
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A Book for Midwives (2010)