Frequency of Perineal tear in Primigravida Delivered without Episiotomy at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of perineal tear in primigravida women delivered without episiotomy.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of the Study: The Department Of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Nishtar Hospital Multan from 1^st November 2019 to 10^th April 2020.

Patients and Methods: A total of 194 primigravida women, singleton pregnancy, gestational age at 37-42 weeks, vertex presentation, occiptoanterior position and vaginal birth (Spontaneous/Induced) were included. Women were evaluated after admission and basic demographics data like age, weight and BMI (kg/m²) were recorded. Demographic characteristics of the patients along with frequency of Perineal tear after vaginal delivery were noted.

Results: Mean age was 26.391±4.22 years, mean gestational age 39.015±1.54 weeks, mean weight 70.933±12.99 Kg, mean height 1.546±0.092 meters, mean BMI 29.708±5.05 Kg/m² and mean infant head size was 34.087±0.83 cm.  Majority of the patients, 100 (51.5%) belonged to 18-25 years age group. Short perineal body was seen in 132 (68.0%) patients. Perineal Tear was seen in 46 (23.7%) patients.

Conclusion: High frequency of perineal tear in primigravida women delivered without episiotomy was noted in our study. Perineal tear was significantly associated with increasing size of fetal head. 

Keywords: Primigravida, Vaginal delivery, perineal tear.