BACKGROUND As cesarean rates increase worldwide, a debate has arisen over the relationship of method of delivery to maternal postpartum physical health. This study examines mothers' reports of their postpartum experiences with pain stratified by method of delivery. METHODS Listening to Mothers II was a survey of a total of 1,573 (200 telephone and 1,373 online) mothers aged 18 to 45 years, wh...

BACKGROUND This observational study aimed to describe the rates and indicators for practice of episiotomy during normal labour and to compare them between women who have had one pregnancy (PG) and women who have already delivered two or more children (G2 and above). METHODS The study was conducted at Mother and Child Hospital, Buraidah from October- December 2013 as a descriptive cross sectio...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prevalence of obstetrical anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), which include third and fourth degree perineal tears in primigravida in routine versus selective mediolateral episiotomy. Secondly, to determine the rate of episiotomy in local settings. METHODS This randomized control trial was carried out in the labor ward of a tertiary hospital of the Universiti Kebangsaan...

OBJECTIVE To describe the use of episiotomy among Vietnamese-born women in Australia, including risk factors for, and pregnancy outcomes associated with, episiotomy. METHODS This population-based, retrospective cohort study included data on 598 305 singleton, term (i.e. ≥ 37 weeks' gestation) and vertex-presenting vaginal births between 2001 and 2010. Data were obtained from linked, validated...

PURPOSE The object of this study was to determine factors leading to episiotomy in low-risk vaginal deliveries, including a comparison of family physicians with obstetricians. The research was also to assess the incidence of episiotomy in a large community hospital and compare it with a national rate of 40%. METHODS A retrospective cohort design was used with computerized records from one hos...

BACKGROUND Episiotomy remains a routine procedure at childbirth in many South-East Asian countries but the reasons for this are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge of, attitudes towards and experience of episiotomy use among clinicians in Viet Nam. METHODS All obstetricians and midwives who provide delivery care at Hung Vuong Hospital were surveyed about their practi...

BACKGROUND Despite all the evidence corroborating the selective use of episiotomy and although routine use of the procedure is contraindicated, there are no evidences corroborating if episiotomy is necessary in any circumstance. The present clinical randomized trial was performed to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in women submitted to a non-episiotomy protocol versus one of selective e...

Background. National episiotomy guidelines state that restricted use is preferable, but the indications for this selective performance are not firmly defined, and the benefits are not clearly determined. Objective. To examine the attitudes of Israeli midwives and doctors towards episiotomy use and to review these in light of the relevant professional literature. Methods. Using anonymous questio...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES A significant number of women experience perineal trauma following vaginal deliveries and they require stitches. This may result in perineal pain, dyspareunia and faulty healing. The type of suture material which is used, will influence these factors. This study was conducted to compare the impact of two absorbable suture materials which were used for episiotomy repair...