episiotomy
/ɪˌpiːsɪˈɒtəmi
/ /ɛˌpiːsɪˈɒtəmi/noun (plural episiotomies)
A surgical cut made at the opening of the vagina during childbirth, to aid a difficult delivery and prevent rupture of tissues.Among private patients with an epidural, the most likely birth outcome was an instrumental delivery with an episiotomy....
- Childbearing women also undergo episiotomies to tighten the outer tissue of the vagina, but Stein says this does not restore muscle tone.
- But one thing is fairly clear - episiotomies should not be done simply to prevent perineal injury in the mother.
Origin
Late 19th century: from Greek epision 'pubic region' + -tomy.