Clinical practice: Perineal suturing

It is estimated that 1 000 women per day will experience perineal suturing following vaginal birth in the UK alone (Kettle et al, 2010). The aim of suturing perineal trauma is to achieve haemostasis, minimise bleeding, reduce the risk of infection, and assist healing through primary intention and correct anatomical alignment, maintaining overall integrity of the pelvic floor.

Midwives must be mindful that perineal suturing can be a traumatic experience for some women and can have an impact on their psychological wellbeing (Green et al, 1998). Therefore, it is vital that midwives are adequately trained and able to provide each woman with clear information regarding the procedure to be undertaken, so she is involved with her own care (Table 1).

After the information has been clearly relayed, and consent has been granted, ensure the woman has adequate analgesia before proceeding with the assessment and repair. It has been suggested that inadequate pain relief or proceeding with the repair before permitting analgesic methods to have taken effect is often experienced by women (Sanders et al, 2002).