Women's experiences of second degree perineal tears: Version 2.1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Spontaneous second degree tears during vaginal childbirth: a qualitative exploration of women's experiences and their physical and emotional recovery.
IRAS ID
160194
Contact name
Octavia Wiseman
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 16 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to explore women’s experiences of second degree perineal tears during childbirth.
The perineum is the area between the vagina and the anus which stretches when a baby is born and can tear naturally during birth. The majority (up to 85%) of women who have a vaginal birth suffer perineal trauma. Second degree tears, involving the skin and muscle of the perineum but not the anus, are the most common kind of tear and can result in shorter and longer-term pain, including dyspareunia (painful or difficult sexual intercourse).
Second degree tears should be sutured (closed with stitches) as per NICE guidance but the evidence base supporting this is not strong and midwives in the UK may leave some second degree tears to heal naturally. Little research has been done into women’s experiences and preferences for how their tear is managed. This information is important for future safe and sensitive care.
This study will invite women who had sutured and unsutured second degree tears to take part in focus groups to explore their experiences of second degree perineal tears and how this affected them in the weeks after giving birth(physically and emotionally). The researchers also interested in whether women were involved in the decisions about the management of their tears and what information they were offered by clinicians on postnatal management.
Women who have had a perineal infection will be interviewed one-to-one as infection is an important issue for women and care providers.
To provide context, we will also interview midwives and doctors to explore their perspective on managing second degree tears.
The research aims to explore the full range of women’s experiences, positive and negative, in order to inform future clinical care and research.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0216
Date of REC Opinion
12 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion