1. A surgical incision made in the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus) during childbirth to enlarge the vaginal opening and facilitate delivery.
Usage: medical term; commonly used in obstetrics

Examples

• The obstetrician performed an episiotomy to prevent severe tearing during labor.
• An episiotomy may be recommended if the baby needs to be delivered quickly.
• Recovery from an episiotomy typically takes several weeks.
• The decision to perform an episiotomy depends on various factors during delivery.
• Modern obstetric practice has reduced the routine use of episiotomy in many cases.