Document Type
Article
DOI
10.71071/JAM/v11i2.1.15th
Department
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Abstract
Background: Normal Vaginal delivery is considered the favorable mode of delivery, but perineal trauma due to episiotomy is a significant concern in obstetric care nowadays. Although, routine episiotomy practice is discouraged because there is no evidence regarding its benefits, the rate of episiotomy is very high especially in lower-middle-income countries as compared to recommended rate given by the World Health Organization (WHO) which is 10% of all normal vaginal deliveries.
Method: Utilizing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. (PRISMA) guidelines, the study searched for appropriate literature on Investigating Healthcare Professionals' Views on Selective versus Routine Episiotomy. Significant databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and the World Health Organization (WHO) recourse repository, were carefully searched using specific keywords. Each article that was chosen was checked for both English language and full-text availability. A total of 25 studies met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized. The findings are described in the results section.
Results: The providers of maternal care are aware of the potential benefits of selective episiotomies, such as reduced perineal trauma and faster recovery, many still favor routine episiotomy due to factors such as personal experience, institutional policies, and fear of complications. Lack of formal training and inconsistent implementation of evidence-based guidelines contribute to the persistence of routine episiotomy practices.
Conclusions: This review highlights the need for targeted interventions to align healthcare professionals' practices with current evidence-based recommendations for selective episiotomy. Strategies may include updated training curricula, continuous professional development programs, and the implementation of clinical guidelines that emphasize the benefits of selective episiotomy. Further research is needed to explore the barriers and facilitators to adopting selective episiotomy practices among healthcare professionals.
Recommended Citation
Akhtar, U, Rattani, S, Meghani, R, & Zuberi, N F. Maternal care providers’ perspectives of selective vs routine episiotomy. Journal of Asian Midwives. 2024;11(2):66–80.
