Perineal outcome following educational intervention: a retrospective audit of primiparous women

The management of vaginal delivery appears to offer an opportunity to reduce the morbidity of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) which is very common in the postpartum period. Research by the authors suggests that an episiotomy is protective against PFD, in particular urinary incontinence. The aim of this subsequent audit was to see if educational intervention can alter the common medical practice of episiotomy and in turn reduce postpartum PFD. Nine hundred and fifty four primiparous women with a non-instrumental vaginal delivery were included, of which 30% had an intact perineum, 51% a spontaneous tear and 19% an episiotomy. The intervention was a teaching session by the Head of Urogynaecology encompassing the anatomy, the impact of a vaginal delivery on PFD, in addition to local and international research. Whilst no significant difference was noted overall in the episiotomy rates as a result of the educational intervention (p = .17), significant differences were noted with the different accoucheur types. Where the accoucheur was an obstetrician or obstetrics registrar, the episiotomy rates increased from 56% to 70% (p < .01); where the midwife was the accoucheur the episiotomy rate changed minimally (11-18%, respectively; p = .27). This demonstrates that feedback about the provider's own practice patterns can change the behaviour to conform with the agreed upon standards. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is the most common complication of childbirth, affecting approximately 85% of Australian women following a vaginal delivery. A link has been made between the perineal outcome and PFD, which has a significant impact on the quality of life. Previous research suggests that the management of a vaginal delivery offers an opportunity to reduce its morbidity, with an episiotomy being protective. However, there is a wide variation in the use of episiotomy which ranges from 9% to 100%. What the results of this study add? The literature suggests that the strongest factor associated with the episiotomy rates arises from differences in the attitude and training. Consequently, this study explored whether an educational intervention can change the common medical practice of episiotomy and in turn reduce postpartum PFD. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? No significant difference was noted overall in the episiotomy rates as a result of the educational intervention, however, the response to the educational intervention was varied among the different types of accoucheurs with the obstetricians, obstetric registrars and student midwives significantly increasing their rate of episiotomy, whilst the midwives demonstrated no significant change. This suggests that there are contributing factors which may include past education and experience; this is an area for further research.