episiotomy

[ uh-pee-zee-ot-uh-mee, ep-uh-sahy- ]

noun

, Obstetrics, Surgery.

, plural e·pi·si·ot·o·mies.

1. an incision into the perineum and vagina to allow sufficient clearance for birth.

episiotomy

/ 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

episiotomy

/ ĭ-pĭz′ē-ŏt′ə-mē,ĭ-pē′zē- /

1. Surgical incision of the perineum during vaginal childbirth to facilitate delivery.

Word History and Origins

Origin of episiotomy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of episiotomy¹

C20: from episio-, from Greek epision pubic region + -tomy

Example Sentences

MLK officials credit round-the-clock staffing with an OB and midwife with driving its notably low rates of C-sections and episiotomies, measures widely used to gauge the quality of maternal care.

From Los Angeles Times

He did not honor her request for an episiotomy — an incision near the vaginal opening to make it larger for childbirth — and she suffered a painful tear, she says.

From Washington Post

Some parts of the birth story I can only hope to forget: induction, complications, “failure to progress,” interventions, fetal distress, “poor expulsive effort,” tearing, episiotomy, hemorrhage.

From New York Times

I remember looking at my episiotomy scar and it looked tiny.

From The Guardian

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