Abstract
Background
Perineal trauma requiring suturing is increasing, along with the associated physiological
and psychological morbidities for women. Provider training appears to focus more on
technical aspects rather than respectful, relational care for women. Studies exploring
women’s experiences have identified that how women are cared for can significantly
impact upon overall experiences.
Aim
To identify areas of improvement to the perineal suturing process and provide robust
recommendations for urgent change by investigating what aspects are most traumatic
to women and which are most supportive.
Methods
A pragmatic qualitative analysis of data generated from 15 in-depth interviews with
women who were sutured following birth.
Findings
Regardless of tear severity, what was identified as helpful included anything that
made the process better by increasing feelings of trust and reassurance, and providing
women with a sense of being seen and heard. Harmful experiences were identified as
those that worsened the experience, by increasing feelings of fear and vulnerability
and leaving women with a sense of being disregarded or disrespected.
Conclusion
The study confirmed that how the suturing process is conducted can have a significant
detrimental impact upon women’s short- and longer-term physical and psychological
well-being.
Implications for practice
An improved experience for women is most likely with kind professionals who explain
the process as it goes along, check-in regularly and validate how the women feel.
Women prefer to be sutured by a known professional, only if this provider is also
kind and respectful.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 22, 2022
Accepted:
February 15,
2022
Received in revised form:
February 14,
2022
Received:
November 28,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
