An episiotomy is a surgical cut into the woman's
perineum. The perineal tissue and muscle are cut to make more room to manipulate the forceps and deliver the baby. Whether you receive an episiotomy will depend on whether your caregiver routinely performs an episiotomy, or if they feel one is required. Research has shown that doing an episiotomy for forceps increases deep perineal tears, and tears through to the anus. Not doing one increases vaginal wall tears, which tend to have less long term health effects for the woman.
An episiotomy is less likely if you have a ventouse delivery, or if the baby is very low in the vagina and only needs a forceps 'lift out'. You may wish to read more on this in
episiotomy.