Korean J Women Health Nurs.  2021 Dec;27(4):379-387. 10.4069/kjwhn.2021.08.31.

Childbirth outcomes and perineal damage in women with natural childbirth in Korea: a retrospective chart review

• Kim KW
• Lee S

• KMID: 2524357
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2021.08.31

Abstract

Purpose
. This study aimed to determine the actual state of childbirth in women with natural childbirth and the degree of damage to the perineum during childbirth.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of mothers who had natural childbirth at a hospital in Seoul, Korea in 2018. Data from 358 women with cephalic births at greater than 37 gestational weeks were analyzed. To determine natural childbirth characteristics and the degree of damage to the perineum, descriptive statistics were done using IBM SPSS Statistics version 28.0 for Windows. The difference in the degree of perineal injury according to obstetric characteristics was analyzed using independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance.
Results
The mean age was 33.18±3.68 years, and 49.2% were primiparas, while 39% gave birth with a doula. The degree of perineal damage differed by age (F=9.15, p<.001), parity (t=19.13, p<.001), number of births in multiparity (F=3.68, p=.027), previous vaginal delivery in multiparity (F=3.00, p=.032) and birthing posture (F=7.44, p<.001). Having received therapeutic procedures (t=–4.62, p<.001), specifically fluid administration (t=–2.72, p=.007), oxygen supply (t=-–2.76, p=.006) and epidural anesthesia (t=–2.77, p=.006) were statistically significant for perineal damage. There were no differences, however, by gestational period, doula use, body mass index at delivery, baby head circumference, or birth weight.
Conclusion
Study findings suggest that support for older women, primiparas, and those who require therapeutic procedures may help to decrease the possibility of perineal damage. As perineal damage was also associated with birthing posture, this should be considered when providing intrapartum nursing care.

Keyword

Lacerations; Natural childbirth; Parity; Perineum; Pregnancy

Reference

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