Study of Factors Associated with Postoperative Pain Following Episiotomy in Primiparous Women at Mashhad Omalbanin Hospital in 2012

Abstract

<em>Background & aim:</em> Episiotomy is a common medical procedure for widening the perineum. In fact, perineal pain is the most common complaint after episiotomy. Therefore, it is important to determine factors associated with postoperative pain following episiotomy in order to provide comfort for women after delivery. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with postoperative pain following episiotomy in primiparous women. <br/><em>Methods:</em>This analytical, descriptive study was conducted on 119 eligible mothers, selected via convenience sampling, referring to Mashhad Omolbanin Hospital. Childbirth-related information was collected using a questionnaire. Neonates and mothers were also evaluated using Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, and Approximation (REEDA) scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire for perineal pain on days 1, 7, 10, and 14after delivery. Kolmogorov-Smirnov, one-way ANOVA, Spearman's test, and Pearson's correlation were performed, using SPSS version 16. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. <br/><em>Results:</em> A significant direct relationship was found between the severity of episiotomy pain on day 7 and length of wound cut (P=0.034), neonatal weight (P=0.040), and number of sutures (P=0.028). There was also a significant relationship between the severity of episiotomy pain on day 10 and the duration of active phase during the second stage of labor (P=0.047), duration of sitting position (P=0.011), and number of sutures (P=0.020). However, a reverse significant correlation was found between the severity of postoperative pain following episiotomy and wound recovery on days 7 (P=0.015) and 10 (P=0.035). <br/><em>Conclusion:</em> Perineal pain was related to factors such as long perineal cut, slow wound recovery, prolonged active phase in the second stage of labor, neonatal overweight, and mother's prolonged sitting position. Therefore, it is recommended to train health care providers and mothers about these factors.