Perineal Laceration Versus Episiotomy

Disruption in Postnatal Women's Daily Life

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify different types of perineal incisions and determine how long each type of incision disrupts a postnatal women's daily life. This was a ret-rospective analysis with a questionnaire that included a semistructured self-report and a description of the women's experience with perineal tearing at 3 months after birth. Additional demographic and obstetrical data were obtained from medical records. The subjects were 108 women. Quantitative and content analyses were used for data analysis. At last, 70 women (without intact perineum, hemorrhage, hematoma, episiotomy and further tear), of the 35 women were underwent episiotomy and another 35 women had been spontaneous laceration were compared for analysis. We found a significantly higher frequency of analgesic use for perineal pain and a longer period of disruption of daily life (sleeplessness, difficulty with bathing, and go out and about) in the episiotomy group. These women were more afraid of sexual intercourse and had less understanding from their families about perineal pain than the laceration group. There is no significant difference in the frequency of incontinence between these groups or between primipara and multipara women. But there is significant difference between whether experienced incontinence or not while pregnancy. Incontinence may begin with the onset of pregnancy rather than from damage to the pelvic floor during delivery. Intervention is needed to start from pregnancy to reduce incontinence after birth. 5 dimensions: distribution by tears, pain, information, interpretations, decision - making were represented from qualitative analysis. In order to promote postnatal health, it is important, therefore, to eliminate unnecessary episiotomies, effectively manage perineal pain, support a woman's decision-making at delivery, and adequately provide information.