The original source for episiotomy information on the web from Childbirth.org ...

A cultural view of episiotomy.

Ob Myths Home page What People are Saying.... Table of Contents Order OB Myths Obstetric Myths Versus Research Realities Chapter 14: Episiotomy Myth: A nice clean cut is better than a jagged tear. Reality: Like any surgical procedure, episiotomy carries a number of risks: excessive blood loss, haematoma formation, and infection. . . . There is no evidence . . . that routine episiotomy reduces ...

A page of citations from the medical literature that generally demonstrate that the routine practice of cutting the vaginal opening of women in labor is unnecessary, causes the tearing it is meant to prevent, and leads to severe complications.

An update of research on episiotomy since 1980.

Discussions, links and information about how and why to avoid episiotomy.

Diagrams of the three major types of episiotomies.

About 50% of women will need an episiotomy.

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