Pros and cons of an episiotomy

OBGYN Sheryl Ross, MD, explains what an episiotomy is, and the pros of cons for women of having an episiotomy before childbirth
Episiotomy - Pros and Cons of Having An Episiotomy
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Pros and cons of an episiotomy

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An episiotomy is where the physician will cut into the perineum of the vagina in order to make room for the fetal head during delivery. It used to be very common and some doctors used to do it automatically. Nowadays, the trend is to not do the episiotomy and let the vagina tear because the thought is, it heals better and the tearing and damage to the vagina is a lot less. Episiotomies are very painful postpartum, so if we can reduce the incidents of episiotomies, it's important to do so.

OBGYN Sheryl Ross, MD, explains what an episiotomy is, and the pros of cons for women of having an episiotomy before childbirth

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Sherry Ross, MD

Obstetrician & Gynecologist

Sherry A. Ross, MD, received her OB/GYN training at the University of Southern California School of Medicine and she was honored with two teaching awards as a senior medical resident. She was a medical consultant on the books Expecting Fitness and Two at a Time.  She also has appeared on MTV, consulted for Fit Pregnancy, People, In Touch, and Shape Magazine. She has been in private practice in Santa Monica, California for the past 20 years. In addition to her medical practice, Dr. Ross was the President of the Upper and Middle Division of Brentwood School and has been on the board of Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles, for three years. She is married and has three children.

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Transcription: 
An episiotomy is where the physician will cut into the perineum of the vagina in order to make room for the fetal head during delivery. It used to be very common and some doctors used to do it automatically. Nowadays, the trend is to not do the episiotomy and let the vagina tear because the thought is, it heals better and the tearing and damage to the vagina is a lot less. Episiotomies are very painful postpartum, so if we can reduce the incidents of episiotomies, it's important to do so.