Diagnosis, management and training in perineal trauma: a national survey of UK midwives

Abstract

Background/Aims Midwives are often the only professionals to examine a women after a vaginal birth. Therefore, it is important that they are trained in the detection and management of obstetric perineal trauma. This study's aim was to establish midwives' current knowledge and training in post-birth perineal trauma, including obstetric anal sphincter injuries, in the UK. Methods An online national validated survey was distributed to UK midwives. There were 58 questions to assess midwives' knowledge and training. Univariable and multivariable analyses were conducted. Results A total of 149 midwives participated. Only 50.3% had received training in obstetric tears. Midwives were better at classifying 3a (98.0% and 87.9% respectively) than 3b tears (79.2%, 85.9% and 84.6%) from images and descriptive text. Those who had training (P=0.02) and were a higher banding (P=0.003) were better at identifying tears. Conclusions Although midwives' knowledge of obstetric tears was good, there was room for improvement and midwives stated that they would like more training.