Iranian women s experiences of physical recovery from perineal Injuries after childbirth: A qualitative study

Background: The care plan of women with perineal injury during labor does not differ with women without perineal trauma in the health system of Iran, while they are encounter more physical problems after childbirth. The present study was designed to discover the experiences of Iranian postpartum women regarding physical recovery of perineal trauma after child birth.Methods: This study was a qualitative content analysis in which 22 postnatal women with perineal trauma during childbirth delivered in Ommol-banin hospital, Mashhad, Iran were selected purposively and included in the study. To collect data face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted between 10 days to one year after childbirth. Data analysis was concurrently carried out using conventional content analysis recommended by by Elo and Kyngas (2008) with MAXQDA software.Results: Physical recovery after perineal trauma was conceptualized as a journey toward normalization of body function to reach physical recovery. Two generic categories emerged from the data including experience of illness and physical rehabilitation. In the first phase, participants confronted many complications such as mobile restrictions, sexual disorders, and incontinence of gas and symptoms of illness. Recovery was achieved by alleviating of these disorders and getting better. Improving physical functions helped to restore emotional recovery as well, when participants recaptured pervious sense of self and regained their daily activities Conclusions: Physical recovery in women with severe perineal injury during labor is longer than puerperium period. It is necessary to provide special care programs for this group of mother s in order to promote normal delivery.Message to policymakers: Emotional health of women, especially women with severe perineal trauma, is at risk due to physical problems, and It is essential that mental health services actively monitor the mental health of these women.

Keywords:

Childbirth Experience , Postnatal , Injuries