Postpartum symptoms. Episiotomy or tear at vaginal delivery

The influence of episiotomy was evaluated in a quasi-randomized follow-up study. In 193 primiparas with spontaneous vaginal delivery, postpartum perineal pain and insufficiency symptoms and their duration were evaluated by means of a questionnaire, 15-24 months post partum. Information about the birth and any complications was obtained from the medical records. On comparing the 85 primiparas delivered by midwives who had a low episiotomy rate (mean 21%) versus the 61 primiparas delivered by midwives with a medium episiotomy rate (mean 34%) and the 41 delivered by midwives with a high episiotomy rate (mean 70%), no differences were found regarding postpartum perineal pain and insufficiency symptoms. Postpartum perineal pain symptoms were significantly correlated to the duration of the second stage of labor, irrespective of the episiotomy rate of the midwife in charge, or of the use of episiotomy.