What is an episiotomy?

This procedure is usually performed during childbirth, just before the widest diameter of the baby's head passed through the outlet of the birth canal. This allows easier passage of the baby's head to reduce the potential damage to the mother's vagina, bladder and rectum. It also helps expedite delivery in the case of forceps or vacuum used when there is some maternal exhaustion or fetal distress. Although some practitioners cut episiotomies routinely, the doctors and midwives at Advanced OB/GYN cut them only when felt to be necessary.