Incidence of perineal trauma in normal spontaneous vaginal delivery in Shabih-khani Maternity Hospital of Kashan during 2007-9

Trauma to genital tract is a common complication of normal vaginal delivery and may result from episiotomies, spontaneous lacerations or both. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of perineal trauma in normal spontaneous vaginal delivery in patients admitted to Kashan Shabih-khani Maternity Hospital. All women having normal vaginal delivery at Kashan Shabih-khani Maternity Hospital from October 2007 to September 2009 were enrolled to this descriptive-analytical retrospective study. Data were collected from hospital charts and analyzed by chi-square test. Severe (third or fourth) degree tears were seen in 0.16% of cases, 0.14% of which accompanied episiotomy. First and 2nd degree tears without episiotomy happened in 90.3% and 9.6%, respectively. Type of trauma is correlated to the birth weight of the baby (P<0/001). Episiotomy has no significant beneficial effect on prevention of perineal trauma, so it is recommended that episiotomies to be avoided unless for exceptional cases.