Episiotomy Workshop Pictures (Rated R for some inappropriate content for children under 40...will also make Jon and Nicole blush)

Just to explain this post for people who were not at this workshop and still willingly choose to read this little gem of a blog- we were taught how to repair episiotomies and vaginal lacerations after birth using towels, condoms, flank steak, and Baby Ruths- did that clear it up for everyone? No? Ok, so to simulate a 4th degree lac, where there is a tear all the way through the rectal mucosa, we used a Baby Ruth inside a condom and had to sew up the condom without perfing the candy bar wrapper (to learn how to imbricate our sutures so they don't go all the way through and stick out into the rectum). We then put the candy bar perpendicular across another condom that had a flank steak inside of it- this second condom represented the anal sphincter with the sheath surrounding it.

We had to approximate the ends of the "sphincter" to represent a 3rd degree lac repair. We then sewed up 2 towels that were cut into a diamond shape to represent repairing a second degree lac (into the perineal body) and first degree lac (superficial). All in all, it was really good practice on all kinds of suturing- from regular running, to running locking, to running subcuticular stitches.

Here we are before starting:

Here's Wendy (our AWESOME program director) helping Kat learn how to do a 3rd degree repair:

Here's Jon working on his flank steak...I think he needs some longer instruments...his hands aren't quite above his head...

This picture just ain't right...

Amy looks much too happy...I think she's plotting Rebert's demise...

And here's the finished product...

By the way, anyone up for a BBQ? We had some flank steaks left over and they're tenderized and everything.