Perceptions of Perineal Repair (version 1)

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Perceptions of Perineal Repair: A Study to explore women’s perceptions of perineal repair as an aspect of normal childbirth.

• IRAS ID

  138238

• Contact name

  Denis Walsh

• Contact email

  denis.walsh@nottingham.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The University of Nottingham

• Research summary

  In the United Kingdom after approximately 85% of births, women will have sustained some degree of perineal trauma. This is usually a tear but can also be a surgical incision made by a midwife or doctor; called an episiotomy. Perineal trauma is a term used to describe damage to the posterior vaginal wall, muscle layers and skin. Rarely it will involve the anal sphincter or anal epithelium, if these structures are involved the repair needs to be undertaken by a doctor and not a midwife. Not all tears will need repairing as some will heal on their own. Approximately two thirds of women who give birth vaginally will require suturing, which is commonly called “stitches”. This is to stop any bleeding and to ensure that the areas heal in the correct position. After birth, midwives routinely look for any trauma and will follow the recommended National and hospital guidelines to repair it.
  The research question this study to be addressed in this study is; What are women’s perceptions of perineal repair? this was formulated following a literature review. Most research undertaken recently, in this country and abroad, addresses the optimum suturing techniques, which suture materials are preferable and the recommended ways to reduce postnatal pain. There hasn’t been any in this country about what women think and feel about having stitches and how it fits in with their experience of having a “normal” birth. This is what the study aims to explore.
  The study will involve 12 first time mothers who will have undergone a perineal repair that was performed by a midwife, under a local anaesthetic injection. Participants will be asked to complete a one off interview within 4 weeks of delivery, The interview is expected to last approx 30-60 minutes and will take place at their/their families home

• REC name

  East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/EM/0421

• Date of REC Opinion

  8 Nov 2013

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion