Midwives’ Perceptions, Experience and Reasonsfor Routine Episiotomy in Maternity Teaching Hospitals - Khartoum State- Sudan

Abstract

Background: Midwives have a crucial role in caring for women with normal labor. Routine episiotomy
has no benefit and its used is not scientifically supported. Understanding midwives’ perception and
experiences would target the situation.This study aimed to explore midwives’ perceptions,experience
and reasons for routine episiotomy.
Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conductedin three maternity teaching hospitals
in Khartoum state on 85 midwives recruited randomly and consented to take part in the study. A
questionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study, and data were collected by interview with
midwives, on reasons for and rate of episiotomy and perceptions of midwives were recorded on a Likert
scale. Suitable statistical methods were used.
Results: A high percentage of the study participants 64(75.4%) were nurse midwives had a midwifery
certificate. With long years of experience more than ten years 54 (63.5%).The rate of episiotomies
was high 73(85.9%).The midwives reported nine clinical reasons , mainly preventscomplications,
Prevents the perineum tears and helping birth (93%, 90%, 84.7%) respectively.Midwives perceived
that; episiotomy “speeds up the second stage of labor”, “prevent perineal tears and urinary and fecal
incontinence”, “Reduces fetal and maternal distress”,shoulder dystociacomplications, bleeding,labor
pain, instrument-assisted delivery and allow for easier suturing”.There was a significant correlation
between Midwives practice and their education with, P value =.001.
Conclusion:The rate of routine episiotomy was high with Midwives misleading perspectives and
views