[Restrictive use of episiotomy for low forceps delivery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the restrictive use of episiotomy for low forceps delivery.

METHODS: A total of 311 low forceps delivery women at ≥37 weeks of gestation with live singleton cephalic pregnancies were recruited from June 2013 to December 2013 at our hospital. Among whom, 117 women underwent no episiotomy another 194 had mediolateral episiotomy. The maternal and neonatal outcomes of two types of episiotomy were compared.

RESULTS: The amount of intra and post-partum hemorrhage, I-II perineal tearing, time of perineal suturing, perineal pain severity of post-partum 24 h significantly decreased than control group (P<0.05). No statistical significant inter-group differences existed in perineal hematoma, postnatal infection, urinary retention or length of stay after childbirth (P>0.05). And no statistically significant inter-group differences existed in incidence rates of neonatal asphyxia, neonatal birth trauma and newborns into neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION: During low forceps delivery, restrictive use of episiotomy may decrease the rate of episiotomy, reduce the amount of hemorrhage, minimize maternal injury, relieve pain and have no adverse effects on neonatal morbidities. And it improves the quality of vaginal delivery and demonstrate the concept of mini-invasiveness so that it is worthy of wider promotions.