The decision to suture after childbirth: cues, related factors, knowledge and experience used by midwives

Abstract

Objective: to present critical cues, related factors, knowledge and experience used by midwives when deciding whether or not to suture perineal and associated trauma after childbirth.

Design: an exploratory descriptive study using in-depth interviews to collect data using the Critical Decision Method.

Setting: birth units in Greater Western Sydney.

Participants: 19 volunteer midwives experienced in deciding whether or not to suture or in making referrals to suture childbirth trauma.

Findings: the main findings were the cues of bleeding and trauma with their accompanying specific attributes, and woman- and midwife-centred factors considered when deciding whether or not to suture perineal and associated trauma. Furthermore, the knowledge and experience that supported decision-making, such as detailed knowledge of anatomical structures, workshops and observing highly skilled clinicians, were identified.

Conclusion: the cues and related factors can be formed into an inventory and tested for content validity using a panel of expert midwives.

Implications for practice: such an inventory has the potential to minimise inappropriate intervention and alleviate unnecessary discomfort, thus increasing safety and quality of care for women following childbirth. In addition, midwifery educators and those coaching less-experienced midwives can use the collected clinical information to aid the development of students' and midwives' decision-making skills regarding whether or not to suture childbirth trauma.