Both have risks and benefits
including bleeding, need for transfusion, post procedure fever and infection, need for antibiotics, risk for injury to surrounding organs like bowel, bladder, urethra, vessels,
anal sphincter, with need for suturing or need for reoperation.
«A number of observational studies and randomized trials, however, showed that routine episiotomy is associated with an increased incident of
anal sphincter and rectal tears,» write the authors of Williams Obstetrics (23rd edition, p. 401, their emphasis),
including a four to sixfold risk of fecal or flatus incontinence.