A systematic mixed studies review of women's experiences of perineal trauma sustained during childbirth

Crookall, Rebecca, Fowler, Gillian, Wood, Caroline and Slade, Pauline ORCID: 0000-0001-5877-2706 (2018) A systematic mixed studies review of women's experiences of perineal trauma sustained during childbirth. JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, 74 (9). pp. 2038-2052.

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Abstract

To explore the quantitative/qualitative literature on women's experiences of perineal trauma sustained during childbirth and the impact it may have on psychological/emotional wellbeing BACKGROUND: Obstetric complications during childbirth can be a risk factor for postpartum psychological distress. Perineal trauma is one of the most frequent obstetric complications and it is important to understand any impact on psychological/emotional wellbeing. A convergent qualitative design using a hybrid deductive-inductive thematic synthesis approach to data transformation was used. Web of knowledge, CINAHL, MEDLINE, AMED, PsyArticles, PsycInfo until May 2017. Stage 1: transforming findings from the qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods studies into themes using thematic synthesis. Stage 2: integrating themes from the quantitative studies into those derived from the qualitative studies RESULTS: Records (N=2152) found of which 11 qualitative 22 quantitative and 1 mixed methods were included in this review. Five themes were derived from thematic synthesis of qualitative studies 'The mystery of perineal trauma', 'The misery of perineal suturing', 'The postnatal perineum', 'Normalisation and feeling dismissed' and 'Adjusting to a new normal - Coping and compromise' and five themes identified from the quantitative studies, experience of birth (N=4), Sexual functioning (N=12), Social functioning (N=2), Psychological health (N=8) and Quality of Life (N=5). Perineal trauma can have a negative impact on psychological/emotional wellbeing, however the literature is conflicted and in need of clarification. Future research should clearly describe the perineal status of the women in the sample, use validated measures and consider the timing of such measures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	episiotomy, health psychology, midwifery, OASI, obstetrics and gynaecology, perineal trauma, severe perineal trauma, systematic review, vaginal birth, women's experiences
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	11 Apr 2018 09:56
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 06:36
DOI:	10.1111/jan.13724
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3020037