Here you can find out about an episiotomy (a cut between the vagina and anus), including why you might be offered one during childbirth, how long it takes to heal, and how to prevent a perineal tear.
Up to nine in 10 first-time mothers who have a vaginal birth will have some sort of tear, graze or episiotomy.
Sometimes a doctor or midwife may ask for your consent to make a cut in the area between the vagina and anus (perineum) during childbirth. This is called an episiotomy. An episiotomy makes the opening of the vagina a bit wider, allowing the baby to come through it more easily.
Sometimes a woman's perineum may tear as their baby comes out. In some births, an episiotomy can help to prevent a severe tear or speed up delivery if the baby needs to be born quickly.
If your doctor or midwife feels you need an episiotomy when you're in labour, they will discuss this with you and should always gain your consent before doing anything. In England, episiotomies are not done routinely.
If you have a tear or an episiotomy, you'll probably need stitches to repair it. This is normally done using local anaesthetic in the room where you had your baby. Dissolvable stitches are used, so you will not need to return to hospital to have them removed.
