The practice of episiotomy: a qualitative study on perceptions of a group of women

ABSTRACT

This study set out to understand the experiences and perceptions of women from the practices of episiotomy during labor. This is a qualitative descriptive approach, performed in a school hospital in São Paulo, which data were collected through interviews with the participation of 35 women, who experienced and not episiotomy in labor. The thematic analysis shows these categories: Depends the size of the baby facilitates the childbirth; Depends each woman; The woman is not open; and Episiotomy is not necessary. The results allowed that there is lack of clarification and knowledge regarding this practice, which makes the role of decision ends up in the professionals’ hands. To sum up, it is important to the professional knowledge about scientific evidences; awareness linked to the rights of users and respects their individuality.Descriptors: Episiotomy; Delivery of Health Care; Obstetrical Nursing.