OBJECTIVE:

To determine the frequency and correlation of episiotomies and tears of patients with eutocic deliveries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Observational and retrospective study carried out at the Hospital General de Alicante, Spain, in two periods: 1) 2008-2012 and 2) 2013-2018. Eutocic deliveries of single pregnancies, at term, in cephalic presentation are included. Study variables: episiotomies, tear, age, weeks of pregnancy, parity, labor induction, previous caesarean section, regional analgesia, weight and sex of the newborn. The results are expressed as a percentage, correlation coefficient and the variables involved with odds ratio.

RESULTS:

The episiotomy rate between period 1 vs. 2 decreased very significantly: 42.3% vs 32.8%; [p <0.001; OR: 0.81 (0.78-0.84)]. In contrast, the percentage of index tears: 42.7% vs 50.8%; (p <0.001; OR: 1.16 [1.13-1.20]). The correlation coefficient was -0.91. Regarding risk factors associated with episiotomy, one of them was the age under 35 years with an OR (95% CI): 1.25 (1.16-1.35; p <0.001), but it was a OR protective factor (95% CI): 0.76 (0.71-0.81; p <0.001) for the appearance of tears.

CONCLUSIONS:

The tendency in the realization of episiotomies is decreasing, while the tendency of the appearance of tears is inversely proportional. No differences were found in the tear rate of III and IV grade.