E-Posters-10212

10212_Steele

Pdf Summary

This qualitative study aimed to understand primiparous women's experience and understanding surrounding obstetric perineal trauma. The study found that complications from perineal injury include pain, wound infection and breakdown, dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, obstetric fistula, and urinary or fecal incontinence. There is a lack of data regarding women's knowledge of perineal injury and how to care for the perineal wound, as well as their informational needs and preferences in obtaining information and support. Mixed methods research was used to evaluate the postpartum wound care experience and to identify areas for improvement in patient care. Existing tools to examine pelvic floor dysfunction in postpartum women need validation. The study found that there are multiple opportunities to improve postpartum patient care and the experience of recovering from a perineal wound. Participants voiced a lack of understanding of the wound and a desire to know more. The timing and mode of information delivery were found to be inadequate for participants to learn and retain information. Women preferred written information given before or after delivery, as well as explanation at a time and method in which they can retain what is told to them. They also supported closer interval support, via telephone or in-person follow-up, especially for women who experienced a higher-order laceration. The emotional toll of pain and pelvic floor dysfunction during recovery was also highlighted by the participants. Future directions of study include evaluating the impact of patient handouts with written information and illustrated depictions of perineal wound lacerations, as well as creating a wound clinic specifically dedicated to caring for women with postpartum perineal lacerations.

Keywords

obstetric perineal trauma

complications

pain

wound infection

dyspareunia

chronic pelvic pain

urinary incontinence

informational needs

patient care improvement

postpartum perineal lacerations