Final answer:
An episiotomy is an incision in the posterior vaginal wall and perineum during childbirth to aid delivery. The trend is now toward allowing the perineum to tear naturally, which heals better than an episiotomy. If necessary, a Caesarean section is an alternative surgical delivery method.
Step-by-step explanation:
The procedure in question is called episiotomy. It is an incision made in the posterior vaginal wall and the perineum to facilitate childbirth. This medical practice, which was once routine, involves numbing the perineum and making a controlled cut. Recently, the trend has moved toward allowing the perineum to tear naturally. Both episiotomies and natural tears need to be sutured after birth for proper healing. Despite being more challenging to suture, natural tears often heal faster and result in less pain and less damage to the perineal muscles, compared to episiotomies.
Childbirth typically progresses through three stages: cervical dilation, expulsion of the newborn, and delivery of the placenta. During the second stage, known as expulsion, the mother bears down with contractions to deliver the baby. If labor and vaginal delivery aren't possible, an alternative surgical procedure known as a Caesarean section may be performed, which is considered major abdominal surgery and may involve more post-surgical complications.