Perineal Outcomes Research Articles

Peut-on encore réaliser des rotations instrumentales par spatules de Thierry? Étude préliminaire chez la primipare

To study immediate perineal and neonatal outcomes after instrumental rotational performed with Thierry's spatula among primiparous, and compare subsequent perineal tear with occiput posterior position delivery. The study was performed from December 2005 to June 2006 at Paule-de-Viguier hospital (Toulouse university hospital) including all persistent occiput posterior vaginal deliveries among primiparous (49 patients). Mode of delivery was: 1) seven patients with spontaneous occiput anterior vaginal delivery (14.3%); 2) seven patients with rotational extraction using spatula with occiput anterior delivery (30.6%); 3) twenty-seven patients with instrumental extraction and occiput posterior delivery (55.1%). Maternal and fetal parameters were studied prospectively. Spatula was performed for failure of progress in 71.4% of cases (n=30) and for no reassuring fetal status in 28.6% of cases (n=12). In "rotational group", only one perineal tear was observed (Third degree) (6.6%) versus seven in "occiput posterior extraction group" (26%) with three severe perineal lacerations. Neonatal superficial lesions are frequent (26,6% after rotation versus 11.6% after occiput posterior extraction). None severe traumatic tears were observed. Instrumental rotation using Thierry's spatula seems to be less deleterious for maternal perineum than occiput posterior extraction, without increasing neonatal complications. Theses preliminary results have to be confirmed by more important prospective works.

Perineal massage during pregnancy in primiparous women

Perineal massage, performed by the woman or her partner during the last weeks of pregnancy, has been recommended to increase perineal elasticity w1x. Recent studies showed that perineal massage reduces the occurrence of perineal trauma, thus increasing the probability of delivering with an intact perineum w2,3x. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of antenatal perineal massage with subsequent perineal outcomes in nulliparous women. A total of 531 primiparous women were included in this study, which was restricted to a sample that included all primiparous women who were expecting a normal vaginal birth of a singleton baby with cephalic presentation. Our studied population was divided into a perineal massage group and a parity-matched control group. Women in the intervention group were asked to perform perineal massage 3–4 times a week for 5–10 min starting

Clinician-specific episiotomy rates: impact on perineal outcomes

Recent, large, randomized, controlled trials of the effects of episiotomy on perineal damage have confirmed that episiotomy is associated with an increased risk of damage to the perineum. Yet episiotomy remains the most common surgical procedure women undergo. This article examines if clinician experience, rather than scientific evidence, forms the basis for continuing this practice. Perineal outcome data are analyzed for 865 low-risk women who were attended at birth by the staff nurse-midwives or faculty obstetricians at a university-based, tertiary-care hospital. Data were collected under routine, nonexperimental conditions such that the circumstances of the labor and the clinician’s preferences were allowed to determine management decisions regarding the use of episiotomy or other techniques of perineal management. Multivariate findings indicate that in the absence of episiotomy, rates of perineal integrity were highest among clinicians who usually had the lowest rate of episiotomy use. When an episiotomy was done, rates of third- and fourth-degree extensions were highest among clinicians who used episiotomy most frequently. This finding challenges the idea that clinicians who were very experienced with the use of episiotomy would avoid complications such as extensions. Future research should explore the use of nonsurgical techniques such as those employed by midwives to promote perineal integrity. Then interdisciplinary research and evidence-based education regarding these techniques can occur to improve perineal outcomes for all women.

PREVENTING PERINEAL TRAUMA DURING CHILDBIRTH

In Brief Objective To review systematically techniques proposed to prevent perineal trauma during childbirth and meta-analyze the evidence of their efficacy from randomized controlled trials. Data Sources MEDLINE (1966–1999), the Cochrane Library (1999 Issue 1), and the Cochrane Collaboration: Pregnancy and Childbirth Database (1995); and reference lists from articles identified. Search terms included childbirth or pregnancy or delivery, and perineum, episiotomy, perineal massage, obstetric forceps, vacuum extraction, labor stage–second. No language or study-type constraints were imposed. Study Selection Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions affecting perineal trauma were reviewed. If no RCTs were available, nonrandomized research designs such as cohort studies were included. Studies were selected by examination of titles and abstracts of more than 1500 articles, followed by analysis of the methods sections of studies that appeared to be RCTs. Integration and Results Eligible studies used random or quasirandom allocation of an intervention of interest and reported perineal outcomes. Further exclusions were based on failure to report results by intention to treat, or incomplete or internally inconsistent reporting of perineal outcomes. Final selection of studies and data extraction was by consensus of the first two authors. Data from trials that evaluated similar interventions were combined using a random effects model to determine weighted estimate of risk difference and number needed to treat. Effects of sensitivity analysis and quality scoring were examined. Results indicated good evidence that avoiding episiotomy decreased perineal trauma (absolute risk difference −0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.35, −0.11). In nulliparas, perineal massage during the weeks before giving birth also protected against perineal trauma (risk difference −0.08, CI −0.12, −0.04). Vacuum extraction (risk difference −0.06, CI −0.10, −0.02) and spontaneous birth (−0.11, 95% CI −0.18, −0.04) caused less anal sphincter trauma than forceps delivery. The mother's position during the second stage has little influence on perineal trauma (supported upright versus recumbent: risk difference 0.02, 95% CI −0.05, 0.09). Conclusion Factors shown to increase perineal integrity include avoiding episiotomy, spontaneous or vacuum-assisted rather than forceps birth, and in nulliparas, perineal massage during the weeks before childbirth. Second-stage position has little effect. Further information on techniques to protect the perineum during spontaneous delivery is sorely needed. Perineal trauma is decreased by avoiding episiotomy, using spontaneous or vacuum-assisted rather than forceps birth, and, in nulliparous women, by performing prenatal perineal massage.

The development of clinical indicators — The impact on midwifery practice in Queensland in the future

Perineal trauma is the most frequently reported complication of labour and delivery in the Qld Perinatal Data Collection. It is documented that some individual accoucheurs seem to be particularly skilful in assisting at birth in a way that minimises perineal trauma. Recent trends within the Qld health industry have emphasised the importance of quality improvement activities focussing on health outcomes. Midwives accoucheur most of the “normal” deliveries in public hospitals, thus it is important that midwives play a leading part in the development and improvement of tools which identify quality outcomes and pinpoint areas for improvement. This study aims to benchmark current practices regarding perineal outcomes. Moreover, the authors aim to initiate discussion towards the development of the first clinical indicators appropriate to midwifery care.

Spontaneous pushing during birth: Relationship to perineal outcomes

Vaginal birth is a recognized factor in perineal tissue damage and postpartum perineal pain. This study examined outcomes of 39 primiparous women who had spontaneous vaginal births. In a retrospective survey, women were asked to describe the type of pushing used to give birth and what the level of pain had been in the perineal (or vaginal) area during the first week postpartum. Labor and delivery chart data documented extent of episiotomy and/or laceration sustained. Eleven (28%) women reported using spontaneous bearing down efforts, and the remaining 28 (72%) were directed. Women who used spontaneous pushing were more likely to have intact perineums postpartum and less likely to have episiotomies, and second or third degree lacerations (χ 2 [3, N = 39] = 8.1, P = .043). Other variables, such as maternal age, infant birth weight, length of second stage, provider type, and use of epidural, did not demonstrate a significant difference in perineal outcome. Further analysis showed a significant relationship between the extent of perineal disruption and pain (F [3,30] = 5.08, P = .005).

Perineal outcomes in a home birth setting.

Perineal lacerations are a source of significant discomfort to many women. This descriptive study examined perineal outcomes in a home birth population, and provides a preliminary description of factors associated with perineal laceration and episiotomy. Data were drawn from a prospective cohort study of 1404 intended home births in nurse-midwifery practices. Analyses focused on a subgroup of 1068 women in 28 midwifery practices who delivered at home with a midwife in attendance. Perineal trauma included both episiotomy and lacerations. Minor abrasions and superficial lacerations that did not require suturing were included with the intact perineum group. Associations between perineal trauma and study variables were examined in the pooled dataset and for multiparous and nulliparous women separately. In this sample 69.6 percent of the women had an intact perineum, 15 (1.4%) had an episiotomy, 28.9 percent had first- or second-degree lacerations, and 7 women (0.7%) had third- or fourth-degree lacerations. Logistic regression analyses showed that in multiparas, low socioeconomic status and higher parity were associated with intact perineum, whereas older age (>/= 40 yr), previous episiotomy, weight gain of over 40 pounds, prolonged second stage, and the use of oils or lubricants were associated with perineal trauma. Among nulliparas, low socioeconomic status, kneeling or hands-and-knees position at delivery, and manual support of the perineum at delivery were associated with intact perineum, whereas perineal massage during delivery was associated with perineal trauma. The results of this study suggest that it is possible for midwives to achieve a high rate of intact perineums and a low rate of episiotomy in a select setting and with a select population.

Episiotomy at the Royal Women's Hospital, Brisbane: a comparison of practices in 1986 and 1992

Objective: to determine whether the incidence of perineal outcomes, including episiotomy, at the Royal Women's Hospital (RWH) Brisbane reflected trends reported in the literature. Design: retrospective record review. Setting: RWH Brisbane. Participants: 953 women who delivered vaginally at the RWH in 1986 and 1992. Measurements and findings: there was a decline in the episiotomy rate from 65% in 1986 to 36% in 1992. This was accompanied by an increase in the incidence of intact perinea and spontaneous perineal tears. There was no difference in the incidence of spontaneous third degree tears. The decline in the incidence of episiotomy was found when other factors, such as parity, were considered, with the exception of operative vaginal delivery, where no difference in the use of episiotomy was found. There was no significant increase in the number of babies with an Apgar score of <7 at one minute of age, despite a significant reduction in the use of episiotomy when delivering these babies (55% in 1986 and 19% in 1992; P<0.001). The second stage was significantly longer in 1992 ( P<0.01). Key conclusions: the findings reflect the decline in the incidence of episiotomy reported in the literature. This decline in rate was accompanied by an increase in the length of second stage and in the incidence of both intact perinea and perineal tears. Lowering the incidence of episiotomy did not result in a rise in the rate of babies with an Apgar score of <7 at one minute.

Perineal outcomes and nurse-midwifery management

This article describes the association among perineal outcomes, selected risk factors, and alternative intrapartum approaches used by nurse-midwives. This nonrandomized concurrent (cohort) study analyzed all spontaneous vaginal births ( N = 1211) attended by nurse-midwives at a university hospital over a 2-year period. Univariate analysis was used to calculate relative risks for the associations between two perineal outcomes and selected variables. Study results indicated that parity, ethnicity, birth weight, and use of two techniques (hot compresses and lubrication) were associated with lacerations. The same factors that increase the risk of perineal lacerations also made the performance of an episiotomy more likely; however, for episiotomy, an inverse relationship with perineal hot compresses was noted, and perineal lubrication had no effect. Lack of perineal support was associated with a 66% rise in the risk of episiotomy. Use of birthing positions other than lithotomy significantly reduced the likelihood of episiotomy. The authors concluded that selected care measures to protect the perineum may reduce maternal morbidity and simplify intrapartum care. The risks and benefits of alternative strategies commonly used by nurse-midwives while caring for diverse populations during birth should be further evaluated in large multiethnic populations.

Comparison between different perineal outcomes on tissue healing

Perineal healing was compared between 181 women with episiotomies and 186 women without episiotomies at one to two weeks after delivery. Subjects were medically indigent low-risk women who had normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries at the same tertiary-care hospital. Maternal age, race, parity, and birth weight did not have an independent effect on perineal healing. Perineal outcome at delivery and length of second stage exhibited a significant relationship with perineal healing. Overall, there was a 4.9% incidence of delayed perineal healing due to wound separation or clinical infection. In the episiotomy group, 7.7% of the subjects experienced delayed perineal healing compared with 2.2% in the no-episiotomy group. This was statistically significant using Pearson chi-square analysis. These results suggest that women without episiotomies exhibit better perineal healing than women with episiotomies.