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.