Perineal management techniques among midwives at five hospitals in New South Wales - a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Midwives are reported to have changed from 'hands on' to 'hands poised or off' approaches to birth at the same time as obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIs) are increasing. As perineal management details are not routinely collected, it is difficult to quantify practice.

Aims

To determine which perineal protections techniques midwives prefer for low-risk non-water births; whether preference is associated with technique taught or with other characteristics; and whether midwives change preference according to clinical scenario.

Materials and methods

Midwives in Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) were surveyed during a 2-week period in 2014. Multiple-choice questions were used, with free text option. Descriptive analyses, chi-square and McNemar t

SUBMITTER: Ampt AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4744712 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature