Perineal trauma: A women's health and wellbeing issue

Abstract

Perineal trauma and its consequences are important areas for women's health and wellbeing. Many women throughout the world will sustain some degree of perineal and vaginal injury during childbirth. Perineal trauma is associated with significant short and long-term health problems that have significant negative effects on women's wellbeing and quality of life. Therefore, it is essential that midwives who provide care and support to women during the childbirth continuum are educated and trained to provide the best care possible based on the most current up-to-date evidence. This article will give an overview of current evidence for perineal care during the childbirth continuum.

Can pelvic floor muscle training prevent perineal laceration? A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…It is known that perineal injuries during vaginal delivery affect 75%–85% of women 5 . A systematic review highlights that, in the UK, approximately 85% of women suffer perineal trauma related to childbirth, with primiparous women having a high risk of perineal laceration compared with multiparous women 6 .…”

Effectiveness of structured education and training in perineal wound assessment and repair for midwives and midwifery students: A review of the literature

“…These injuries, if misdiagnosed and inadequately repaired, can have significant short-and long-term negative consequences for women including: faecal and urinary incontinence (in approximately 60-80% of cases), perineal pain, dyspareunia and depression [4][5][6] . Furthermore, perineal trauma can also affect maternal attachment with their newborns and relationships with their partners/family 1 . The consequences of perineal trauma cause a financial burden on health systems 7 , which may be minimized through ongoing education around the risks, recognition and management of perineal trauma 1 .…”

“…Perineal trauma is defined as any injury to the genitalia sustained during a vaginal birth, which can occur spontaneously or deliberately, as a result of an episiotomy 1 . Perineal tears are classified from first to fourth degree, depending on the anatomical structures involved in the damage 2 .…”

“…Furthermore, perineal trauma can also affect maternal attachment with their newborns and relationships with their partners/family 1 . The consequences of perineal trauma cause a financial burden on health systems 7 , which may be minimized through ongoing education around the risks, recognition and management of perineal trauma 1 .…”

Relação entre vulvovaginite pré-natal e laceração perineal relacionada ao parto

“…O trauma perineal relacionado ao parto comumente afeta mulheres que dão à luz por parto normal. É caracterizado por lacerações, episiotomia ou ambas e está associado a um risco aumentado de lesões do esfíncter anal, complicações na cicatrização, (1) infecção, distúrbios do assoalho pélvico, (2) dispareunia e dor perineal, (3,4) que impactam adversamente na saúde e no bem-estar pós-parto. (5) Vários fatores de risco para lesão perineal são descritos na literatura e incluem paridade, posição de nascimento, episiotomia, peso do recém-nascido ao nascer, etc.…”