Final answer:
An episiotomy is an incision made in the posterior vaginal wall and perineum. Situations when a birth attendant may perform an episiotomy include fetal shoulder dystocia, forceps- or vacuum extractor-assisted births, breech presentation, and fetus in an occiput posterior position.
Step-by-step explanation:
An episiotomy is an incision made in the posterior vaginal wall and perineum to facilitate vaginal birth. Examples of situations when a birth attendant may perform an episiotomy include:
- Fetal shoulder dystocia: This is when the baby's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone during birth.
- Forceps- or vacuum extractor-assisted births: In some cases, the use of forceps or vacuum extractors may require an episiotomy to aid in the delivery.
- Breech presentation: When the baby is oriented in the breech position, an episiotomy may be necessary to facilitate the birth.
- Fetus in an occiput posterior position: This refers to the baby's head facing upward instead of downward during birth. An episiotomy may be performed in this situation to help with the delivery.