What is an episiotomy? Is it really necessary?

Like Jamie mentioned, it's a surgical cut in the muscular area between the vagina and the anus (the area called the perineum) made just before delivery to enlarge your vaginal opening to help assist in delivery and to prevent any tearing ir rupture of tissues. Unlike Jamie, I didn't not opt for but I told my gynae if it's necessary, go ahead. Recovering will slightly take longer, and it will depends on the size of it. For me it was about a week plus.