Women’s experiences of wound dehiscence of a second-degree perineal tear and choice of treatment in Denmark: a qualitative interview study

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe women's experiences of perineal wound dehiscence of a second-degree perineal tear and choice of resuturing or conservative treatment in the first two months after birth. DESIGN: A qualitative descriptive study using individual semistructured interviews was conducted. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis approach to explore women's experiences and perspectives on dehisced perineal wounds of a second-degree perineal tear. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed concurrently with data collection. SETTING: Perineal clinics at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at two large University Hospitals in Copenhagen, Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: 17 women with dehisced perineal wound of a second-degree perineal tear. RESULTS: Three main themes were identified: (1) The unforeseen troubles: for the women with perineal wound dehiscence, the pain intensified immensely after the birth. It was an unexpected complication, and it affected the women negatively in various ways. (2) The emotional turmoil: it was a crisis for the women that their lower bodies were not intact. They were terrified, and they wondered if they had themselves to blame. Most women emphasised that choosing between resuturing or conservative treatment was a difficult and lonely decision. (3) Living with changes: regardless of treatment approach, women in both groups reported gradually managing their complicated healing and pain, but were concerned about their genitals and future births. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that wound dehiscence was related to a painful postpartum period and an altered body image, and that the women generally found choosing between resuturing or conservative treatment difficult.