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episiotomy

American  
[uh-pee-zee-ot-uh-mee, ep-uh-sahy-] / əˌpi ziˈɒt ə mi, ˌɛp ə saɪ- /

noun

Obstetrics, Surgery.
  • episiotomies
    plural
  1. an incision into the perineum and vagina to allow sufficient clearance for birth.


episiotomy British  
/ əˌpiːzɪˈɒtəmɪ /

noun

  1. surgical incision into the perineum during the late stages of labour to prevent its laceration during childbirth and to make delivery easier

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

episiotomy Scientific  
/ ĭ-pĭz′ē-ŏtə-mē,ĭ-pē′zē- /
  1. Surgical incision of the perineum during vaginal childbirth to facilitate delivery.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of episiotomy

1875–80; < Greek epísio ( n ) pubic region + -tomy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

One was that she wanted to avoid an episiotomy, according to the suit.

From Los Angeles Times Oct. 26, 2018

If a labouring woman comes in without her jerry cans and needs an episiotomy, for instance, the midwives must simply wipe down the instruments with bleach, instead of sterilising before cutting.

From The Guardian Oct. 2, 2017

Clinton believes in guaranteed paid family leave, because fathers are parents too, and mothers shouldn’t have to choose between career stagnation and going back to work while their episiotomy stitches are still oozing.

From The Guardian Sep. 20, 2016

Until recent decades, it was routine procedure for an obstetrician to numb the perineum and perform an episiotomy, an incision in the posterior vaginal wall and perineum.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

Both an episiotomy and a perineal tear need to be sutured shortly after birth to ensure optimal healing.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

Testimony reopened scars of unnecessary episiotomies, which prosecution witness Mack equated to a perineal tear.

From Salon Sep. 2, 2026

There have been documented injuries to the clitoris in procedures including pelvic mesh surgeries, episiotomies during childbirth and even hip surgeries.

From New York Times Oct. 17, 2022

But the continuously monitored mothers are subjected to significantly more interventions—oxytocin stimulation, forceps deliveries, episiotomies, C-sections, etc.—with their attendant expenses and complications.

From Scientific American Feb. 7, 2019

He said he has adapted his practice as views of episiotomies have changed and estimated that his personal rate now stands at about 5% — the rate identified as optimal by patient safety advocates.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 9, 2018

And staff try to avoid surgical procedures, such as episiotomies and Caesarean sections, that are too dangerous for workers and patients.

From Nature Mar. 3, 2015

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