When I was a student midwife in Rochdale between 1986 and
1988, we were expected to perform 10 episiotomies along with our
40 deliveries in before registering as a midwife.
However, having excellent tutors, plus working with the emerging
evidence, I soon realised they were unnecessary, unless there
were signs that the fetus was compromised. I did not achieve my
10 and had to make them up!
After 13 years as a qualified midwife I have still not achieved my 10!
Furthermore the women I have cared for have suffered minimal
perineal trauma, most intact perineums and no 3rd degree tears.I
think this is mainly due to the women being 'in tune' with their
bodies without being directed and many off their backs to birth their
babies.
I have worked with colleagues who have a 25% episiotomy rate,
(perhaps you could just look in the birth registers) and some
trained at the same time as me. Choice? informed choice? or 'pot
luck' which midwife the woman gets?
hope this gives you some questions for your research and good
luck.
Sharon Stafford
Regards,
Sharon Stafford,
school of Healthcare Studies - Midwifery
Baines Wing
University of Leeds
Leeds LS2 9JT
Tel - 0113 233 1286
e-mail
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