An episiotomy is a procedure in which a doctor or midwife makes a cut in a woman’s perineum during childbirth. The perineum is the area between the vagina and anus. The cut enables the vagina to extend more fully, making the process of childbirth easier. For more information, see How it is done.
Reasons for an episiotomy
An episiotomy will be recommended if:
- there is thought to be a risk to the baby’s health and a quick childbirth is required
- mechanical assistance, such as forceps (tongs) or suction, is required during childbirth due to complications
- there is a risk of the mother’s perineum being severely torn unless her vagina is widened
For more information see Why it is done.
Recovery
The stitches used during an episiotomy should heal within one month. Usually, dissolving stitches are used, so you won't need to go back to hospital to have them removed. For more information see episiotomy – recovery.
It is common to feel pain at the site of the episiotomy; especially during the first 2-3 weeks after it is performed. Sex can also be painful for the first few months after an episiotomy. For more information see episiotomy - complications.
How common are episiotomies?
Before the 1980s, many doctors recommended that episiotomies should be carried out on all pregnant women as it was thought to prevent problems after delivery, such as urinary incontinence.
This is no longer the case as researchers found that episiotomies carried out in otherwise healthy women have no important health benefits and exposes them to unnecessary pain.
Today, in England, an estimated 1 in 7 pregnancies now involves an episiotomy to help protect the health of the baby and/or the mother.
