Perineal trauma: incidence and its risk factors

Perineal trauma can lead to short- and long-term complications for the mother. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of perineal trauma and its related factors. In this cross-sectional study, the maternal, neonatal, obstetric and childbirth information for all women who delivered in Kashan city hospitals was studied. Data were analysed using the Chi-square test, the t-test and logistic regression. The incidence of perineal trauma was 84.3%. Ninety-five percent of the primiparous women and 43.9% of the multiparous women had an episiotomy ([p value<.001], AOR = 24.4). The chance of birth trauma in the cases of younger maternal age, increasing gestational age, induction of labour, fundal pressure, Iranian nationality and nulliparity are increased. The incidence of perineal trauma in this study was high and should be minimised with a limited use of an episiotomy. It is recommended that midwives and obstetricians pay more attention to the women at risk. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Perineal trauma is common in vaginal delivery. Scientific literature shows several predictors of perineal trauma such as maternal age, parity, induction of labour, gestational age and birth weight, etc.; although in other studies some of these variables were not associated with perineal trauma. Considering that the findings about the factors associated with birth injuries are controversial, we decided to assess the incidence of perineal trauma and its risk factors during childbirth. What the results of this study add? This study indicated a high incidence of perineal trauma and agrees with the existing literature that maternal age, parity, the induction of labour, gestational age, fundal pressure and nationality are associated with perineal trauma; however, other factors were not found as predictors in our study. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our results agreed with the existing literature regarding some predictors of perineal trauma but not for birth weight, foetal distress, second stage duration, hospital type, etc. This data could be used to implement protocols for reducing the rate of a routine episiotomy, considering too the high risk women for the prevention of perineal trauma.