1 African Center of Excellence. Center for Public Health and Toxicological Research. University of Porth court.
2 Department of Nursing Science, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(02), 389-397
Received on 25 March 2024; revised on 04 May 2024; accepted on 06 May 2024
Episiotomy procedures are defined based on the millimetre distance from the incision point to the posterior fourchette and the angle in degrees from the sagittal or parasagittal plane. This study examined Women's Memory of Episiotomy Experience from 2 Months to 2 Years after Birth in Orlu of Imo State. The study employed a qualitative survey design with four research questions. The sample size of 57 participants was selected, convenience sampling technique was used to select the respondents, the respondent were thus; women who underwent episiotomy 25, Midwives 8, family members 24. Data were collected using one on-one interview, via recordings. Data was analysed using percentages, barcharts and content analysis approach and thematic categorization. The results revealed 60% of the respondents come from low socioeconomic background. The study further revealed that; the challenges women experience within 2 months to 2 years as result of episiotomy were pain, inability to breast feed; due to inability to sit well, inability to walk freely, the perceived impact of episiotomy on women within the first 2 months to 2 years after birth were inability to have sex as usual. In conclusion, women were inadequately informed and not psychologically prepared for episiotomy, the respondent’s experienced untoward effect after the procedure which included: pain, and interference with daily life activities. Therefore, the study recommends that healthcare providers, especially midwives, to seek alternatives to routine use of episiotomy, and consider selective episiotomy practices based on individual patient need and thus educate pregnant mothers on perineal massage using recommended oil.
Episiotomy; Birth; Experience; Pain; Mothers; Pregnancy
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Julia Chioma Ibewuike, Eunice Udo-Peretomode and Onasoga Olayinka. Women’s memory of episiotomy experience from 2 months to 2 years after birth in Orlu Imo State. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(2), 389-397. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.22.2.1369