Iranian women's experiences of the episiotomy consent process: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background Knowledge of the benefits and complications of interventions related to medical procedures, such as episiotomy, enables women to make informed decisions regarding these interventions. This study investigated women's experiences of the episiotomy consent process in Iran. Methods This qualitative study gathered data from 20 women through in-depth semi-structured interviews. The participants were selected from hospitals, health centers and gynecology clinics in Tehran. Content analysis was used to establish themes from the gathered data. Results The participants' experiences showed that they felt that their needs were not met and that they were excluded from decision making regarding their birth. Conclusions Women were excluded from decision making and their unmet needs presented ethical challenges in the performance of episiotomy procedures. Neglecting women's expectations, inducing absolute trust in obstetricians or midwives and failing to obtain informed consent paved the way for forced episiotomies. Proper education and obtaining informed and voluntary consent may facilitate women's rights being respected.