Episiotomy during vaginal delivery was first recommended in 1920 as a way to protect the pelvic floor from lacerations and protect the fetal head from trauma. It was rapidly adopted as a standard ...

Kimberly Turbin (seen here with her son) has filed a lawsuit against Dr. Alex Abbassi; she alleges he gave her a forced episiotomy during labor in 2013. (Photo: Lindsay Askins at spotofserendipity.com ...

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am pregnant with my first child and was told by my obstetrician that in some circumstances an episiotomy is necessary. I thought this was no longer done and that it's actually ...

An episiotomy procedure is done so that the opening of the vagina can be made larger to facilitate the birth of a baby. An incision is made in the perineum, the portion between anus and the opening of ...

An episiotomy is a cut made along your perineum by your doctor during labor. Your doctor may need to cut your vaginal opening to allow more room for your baby to be born safely and without harm.

May 8, 2009 (Chicago, Illinois) — A study of 10-year episiotomy trends among different practice groups at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, found a substantial reduction in ...

An episiotomy is a surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth to help a difficult delivery and prevent tissues from rupturing. While episiotomies can help accelerate risky ...

Childbirth puts the perineum, the area between the vagina and anus, under immense pressure. During vaginal delivery, this tissue stretches to allow the baby to pass. Doctors sometimes make a small ...

Episiotomies have a place in maternity care but should not be routinely performed. Paul Curto/Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA It’s difficult to imagine how something as big as a baby’s head can come out of what ...

1. Which doctor should I consult to know if I will require an episiotomy during delivery? You should ask your obstetrician during your prenatal visit regarding an episiotomy. However, in many cases, ...

Experts agree the procedure should be used sparingly, but rates vary widely and many questions remain By Cassandra Willyard This story was originally published on April 30, 2019 in NYT Parenting. The ...