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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

GIVING birth can be fraught with unexpected challenges and some women can need a helping hand. An episiotomy is a daunting sounding but common procedure which involves a cut at the opening of the ...

An anonymous woman whose birth video captured her doctor giving her a forced episiotomy plans to sue him for assault and battery, thanks to a crowd-funding campaign and a support team decrying the way ...