Ileostomy

An ileostomy is where the small bowel (small intestine) is diverted through an opening in the tummy (abdomen). The opening is known as a stoma. A special bag is placed over the stoma to collect waste products that usually pass through the colon (large intestine) and out of the body through the rectum and back passage (anus).

Ileostomy procedures are relatively common in the UK. More than 9,000 are carried out each year in England.

Labiaplasty (Vulval Surgery)

Last Updated: 11 December 2018

A labiaplasty is surgery to reduce the size of the labia minora – the flaps of skin either side of the vaginal opening. Some women consider having a labiaplasty because they don't like the look of their labia, or because the labia cause discomfort. This is a major decision you should weigh up carefully.

It's natural and normal for a woman to have noticeable skin folds around her vaginal opening and, in most cases, this should not cause any problems.

Caesarean Section

A caesarean section, or C-section, is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb. The cut is usually made across your tummy, just below your bikini line.

A caesarean is a major operation that carries a number of risks, so it's usually only done if it's the safest option for you and your baby. Around one in every four to five pregnant women in the UK has a caesarean.

Why caesareans are carried out

A caesarean may be recommended as a planned (elective) procedure or done in an emergency if it's thought a vaginal birth is too risky. They're usually performed after the 38th week of pregnancy. A caesarean may be carried out because:

• your baby is in the breech position (feet first) and your doctor has been unable to turn them by applying gentle pressure to your tummy, or you would prefer they didn't try this
• you have a low-lying placenta (placenta praevia)
• you have pregnancy-related high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia)
• you have certain infections, such as a first genital herpes infection occurring late in pregnancy or untreated HIV
• your baby isn't getting enough oxygen and nutrients – sometimes this may mean the baby needs to be delivered immediately
• your labour isn't progressing or there's excessive vaginal bleeding.

Colonoscopy - Camera examination of the colon

The procedure you will be having is called a colonoscopy. This is an examination of your large bowel (colon). It will be performed by, or under the supervision of, a trained doctor who will try and make the investigation as comfortable as possible for you. When you are having a colonoscopy procedure, you will normally be given sedation and analgesia.

Drawing showing a doctor performing a colonoscopy on a patient.