Standard vs. Two- Stage Method of Perineal Repair: Comparing

Several studies have introduced different methods to facilitate the fetal expulsion. One of these methods is episiotomy during the second stage of labor followed by instant repair of episiotomy incision. Perineal repair, its different methods and the outcomes have long been a matter of discussion and research. This study was performed in order to compare results of two different methods of perineal repair, namely standard (three stage) and two-stage method (leaving the skin unsutured). This study is a randomized clinical trial in which, 80 mothers were selected continuously and divided randomly into the two stage and three stage repair groups. A scaled pain ruler, a questionnaire and information checklist were used to collect the data. The setting of this study was the labor room, the postpartum unit and subjects’ homes. The finding of this study showed no significant difference between the outcomes of the two groups in terms of perineal pain in the first 4-6 hours, the 2nd day, 15th and 21st day, incision recovery on the 15th and 21st day, dyspareunia and the first postpartum pain-free intercourse. The findings of this research indicated that the results obtained from the two above-mentioned methods are not significantly different. However, since the two stage method requires spending less time and energy and reduces the time that mothers should stay in labor room, it is suggested to be used as one of the perineal repair methods.