Association between region of perineal trauma, local problems, and impaired habitual activities and physiological needs

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the association between region of perineal trauma, local problems, and impaired habitual activities, and physiological needs in postpartum women in the immediate vaginal postpartum. Methods: crosssectional study, carried out in a public maternity in Feira de Santana, state of Bahia, Brazil, from May 2013 to December 2015, by applying forms, collecting information in medical records, and conducting a vulvoperineal exam in 684 postpartum women. Results: there was a higher prevalence of pain (PR=3.4; p=0.000), edema (PR=2.5; p=0.028), and difficulty to sleep (PR=2.0; p=0.013), walk (PR=1.6; p=0.033), and sit (PR=2.4; p=0.001) among postpartum women with a trauma in the posterior perineum. Reports of burning sensations (PR=0.5; p=0.01) and difficulty to urinate (PR=0.5; p=0.002) were more likely to occur in women with a trauma in the anterior region. Conclusion: traumas in the posterior perineum cause more pain, edema, and difficulty to sleep, walk and sit, whereas traumas in the anterior region are more related to reports of burning sensations and difficulty to urinate.