Incidence and Factors Associated with Postpartum Perineal Pain in Primipara

Abstract

Objectives:

To determine the incidence and factors associated with postpartum perineal pain after

vaginal delivery in primiparous women.

Study design:

Prospective descriptive study.

Subjects:

Primipara with episiotomy following vaginal delivery at Bangkok Metropolitan

Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital during August 2008 to September 2008.

Methods:

Two hundred and ninety nine primiparous women were recruited for this study. General

data of the included subjects were collected from medical records and the pain score was

assessed with an 11-point verbal analogue scale within 48 hours after delivery.

Results:

The incidence of significant postpartum perineal pain (pain score more than 3) was

41.1% on the first day of postpartum. And only 8.7% associated with perineal pain at the same

level on day two. Factors associated with this pain were operative vaginal delivery and duration

of second stage (> 30 minutes). But no statistical difference between maternal BMI, neonatal

birth weight, degree of perineal trauma, suturing technique or suture material on perineal pain

score.

Conclusion:

Postpartum perineal pain is common among primiparous women especially in the

initial day. Perineal pain was more severe with operative vaginal delivery and duration of second

stage more than 30 minutes.