Episiotomies are not easier to repair than tears. Episiotomies do not heal better than tears. Episiotomies are not less painful than tears. They may cause prolonged problems with pain, especially pain during intercourse. Episiotomies do not prevent birth injuries or fetal brain damage.
Episiotomies increase blood loss.
As with any other surgical procedure, episiotomies may lead to infection, including fatal infections. Epidurals increase the need for episiotomy. They also increase the probability of instrumental delivery. Instrumental delivery increases both the odds of episiotomy and deep tears. The lithotomy position increases the need for episiotomy, probably because the perineum is tightly stretched.