Trial name or title	Randomised controlled trial of restrictive versus routine use of episiotomy for instrumental vaginal delivery: a multi-centre pilot study
Methods	Randomised controlled trial. Random allocation to: [A] Restrictive use of episiotomy for instrumental vaginal delivery. [B] Routine use of episiotomy for instrumental vaginal delivery
Participants	The study aims to recruit 200 women. Inclusion criteria: primigravid women in the third trimester of pregnancy (>36 weeks) with a singleton cephalic pregnancy who are English speakers and have no contra-indication to vaginal birth. Exclusion criteria: Women who are: non-English speakers; who have contra-indication to vaginal birth; multiple pregnancy; malpresentation; multiparous women as the rate ofinstrumental delivery is significantly lower in these women making the effort of recruitment unjustified; women who have not given written informed consent prior to the onset of labour
Interventions	Random allocation to: [A] Restrictive use of episiotomy for instrumental vaginal delivery. [B] Routine use of episiotomy for instrumental vaginal delivery
Outcomes	Damage to the anal sphincter (third or fourth degree tears).
Starting date	01/09/2005
Contact information	Miss B Strachan Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology St Michael’s Hospital Bristol BS2 8EG Telephone: 0117 928 5594 Fax: 0117 928 5180 E-mail: bryony.strachan@ubht.swest.nhs.uk
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