Women's Experiences of Vaginal Birth
Research type
Research Study
Full title
'PEACH' Psychological health and relationship Experiences After vaginal CHilbirth: The effects of experiencing perineal cuts or tears
IRAS ID
145921
Contact name
Pauline Slade
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
The aim of the study is to explore how first time mothers feel after they have given birth vaginally. Of particular interest, is whether a cut or tear that needs stitching affects how women feel about their childbirth experience, and how they adjust to becoming a new mother in the first year. Women who are over 16 years of age and have recently had their first baby vaginally will be invited to take part. There are two phases to the study. Women can just take part in the first part if they wish. We would like to invite women who have different experiences of vaginal birth including those who have experienced a major tear(3rd/4th degree tear), those with a less extensive tear (1st/2nd degree tear) or cut and those whose perineum is unaffected.
During the first phase, those willing to take part will be asked to complete some brief questionnaires whilst they are still on the ward. These initial questionnaires ask women about themselves, their birth and what they think about the care they have received. Women will be asked to complete questionnaire packs on 2 further occasions, at 6-9 weeks and 6-9 months after the birth of their baby. Women will be asked about their psychological health, their relationship with their partner (if applicable) and their relationship with their baby. Questionnaire packs will be emailed or posted to the participant’s home address. Within their 6-9 month questionnaire pack, women will be invited to take part in an interview. If women are willing to do this, they can be interviewed at their home address or the hospital. Women will be asked about their birth, how they feel since becoming a new mother and their relationships with both their partner (if applicable), and their infant.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/1259
Date of REC Opinion
7 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion