The Maternal factors and short term outcomes associated with episiotomy during vaginal delivery at Women and Newborn Hospital , Lusaka, Zambia

Background: An episiotomy is a surgically planned incision on the posterior vaginal wall and perineum performed during second stage of labour to facilitate delivery neonate. The practice has been used for many decades in belief that it offers benefit mother With objective protecting pelvic floor preventing fetal trauma, birth, its routine use was widely accepted past, principally woman her first delivery. However, not free from complications which include iatrogenic injury anal canal, perineal pain excess bleeding. This study therefore conducted explore short term maternal outcomes factors associated with episiotomy.
 
 Methodology: unmatched case control postnatal wards Women New-born hospital Lusaka, Zambia between November 2019 April 2020 convenient sample cases systematic controls. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire 102 participants (cases) who had were recruited while 204(controls) without episiotomies.
 Results: total 306 (102 are 204 control) included. Age found be good predictor those younger than 18 years more seven times likely have an (AOR=7.65; 95%CI 1.36-18.21; p=0.035). It also out primi gravidas five compared parous women (OR=4.96; 2.58-9.52; p<0.001). Out delivered by midwife, 73(28.3%) 29(60.4%) medical officer. Multivariate regression shown being midwife protective against (OR=0.260; 0.14-0.49; p=0.001). episiotomy, only two third degree tear extension. noted 99 (97%) experienced post-delivery 94 204(46%) no episiotomies. In univariate analysis, (p<0.001). further about 4 experience post- (OR=3.8; 1.2-12.3). mean blood loss among 230mls 270mls episiotomy. poor (OR=0.998; 0.991-1.006; p=0.670).
 Conclusion: Maternal included age, parity, method induction, personnel conducting Short extension, pain. 8.5% undergone done them. Health professional deliveries should educated indications patient selection trained surgical skills repair reduce morbidity procedure.