A collection of links to articles on the subject plus information on using exercise to avoid and recover from the procedure.

The how and why, including commonly asked questions and their answers. Includes user submitted comments on personal experiences with the procedure.

Text of the manuscript subtitled "A Review of the English-Language Literature Since 1980" by R.J. Woolley which summarize the findings of studies on the subject.

A description of the procedure, its purposes, and women's responses to it.

Articles on the use of kegels and prenatal perineal massage to avoid necessity. Includes links to other articles about the procedure.

An article denouncing the practice of routinely cutting the perineum during hospital deliveries in the United States with abstracts for related studies.

An article with references about methods for avoiding the procedure, written by the author of the book by the same name.

Article from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggesting that routine episiotomy is no longer advisable.

A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds no benefit from episiotomies. Melissa Block talks with Dr. Katherine E. Hartmann, who is lead author of the study. [3:53 streaming audio broadcast]

Summary of significant points, references, and abstracts from related studies from this book on obstetric myths.

Article on the pros and cons of the procedure.

Article on how performing perineal massage may allow the mother to give birth without an episiotomy or laceration.

Suggestions for avoiding the procedure from midwives, including the use of perineal massage and birth stools.