Risk factors for severe perineal trauma during vaginal childbirth: A Western Australian retrospective cohort study

Y.L. Hauck, L.N. Lewis, Liz Nathan, C. White, Dorota Doherty

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    55 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    © 2014 Australian College of Midwives. Aim: To determine rates and risk factors for third and fourth degree perineal tears (severe perineal trauma) in a Western Australian context. Design and setting: A retrospective hospital-based cohort study was performed using computerised data for 10,408 singleton vaginal deliveries from 28 weeks gestation. Methods: Women with severe perineal trauma were compared to those without. Logistic regression analysis, stratified by parity, was used to assess demographic and obstetric factors associated with perineal trauma. Results: Severe perineal trauma incidence was 3% (338/10408), 5.4% (239/4405) for primiparas and 1.7% (99/5990) for multiparas (. p4000. g (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.10-3.15). Conclusion: Parity differences in risk factors such as episiotomy, infant weight, OP delivery, gestational diabetes and prolonged second stage warrant investigation into clinical management. Although rates differ internationally, and replication evidence has confirmed consistency for certain demographic and obstetric factors, the development of internationally endorsed clinical guidelines and further research around interventions to protect the perineum are recommended.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)16-20
    JournalWomen and Birth
    Volume28
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

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