Exploring the Perceptions and Preparedness for Episiotomy Amongpost Partum Mothers in Northern Ghana: A Qualitative Study

Background: Episiotomy is a surgical incision made on the perineum of a woman to increase the vulval diameter during child birth at the second stage of labour. It is practiced all over the world and said to be the most common obstetric surgical procedure globally. Prevention of extensive blood loss, prolapse of genital organs and shortening of the second stage of labor are reasons for its practice. However, the experiences of women who undergo this phenomenon remain largely unexplored. Methods an institutional based descriptive qualitative design was employed in this study and a semi structured interview guide was used for data collection. Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants for the study. Recorded in-depth interviews were conducted and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Episiotomy was perceived as useful procedure that facilitates birthing by cutting. It was also opined by participants that the procedure spoils the vaginal orifice and those who undergo the procedure were not “women enough”. Participants also felt there was generally poor preparation prior to undergoing the procedure and no opportunity offered to accept or decline the procedure. Conclusion Postpartum mothers had fair knowledge but were not adequately prepared for the procedure. Their perception was just about the procedure helping them to deliver their children and did not know of other benefits and effects. They as well did not go through proper consent process. The study recommends structured education on episiotomy during antenatal and the practice of restrictive episiotomy over routine episiotomies.