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 is a cut in the perineum that used to be standard procedure during birthing. But recent research has advised against it expect in cases of fetal or maternal distress. To recover from an ...

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 ...

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 ...

One of the most commonly performed surgeries in the country, the episiotomy, could actually cause more harm than benefits, according to a recent federally funded study. Undergone by more than a ...

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 ...

Although episiotomy is one of the most common surgical procedures carried out, its medical value is open to debate. There’s also debate over whether an episiotomy is preferable to a natural tear ...

It’s a surgical cut made during childbirth that doctors have been officially warned for more than a decade does more harm to women than good. Mothers who receive episiotomies – an incision at the ...

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 ...

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, ...

Women used to expect to receive an episiotomy during childbirth. Today, these surgical cuts to the vagina are supposed to be rare – and yet a new USA TODAY investigation finds they remain common at ...