Editor's note:
The need to reduce both the incidence and the effects of perineal trauma is a longstanding concern of all those involved in the final stages of a vaginal birth. This article looks at an approach aiming to reduce the trauma in the first place, another article in the Postnatal section by Doumouchtsis et al (p 84) looks at a product that might reduce the short and long term pain experienced when perineal trauma occurs.
Colacioppo PM, Riesco MLG, Koiffman MD. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, vol 56, no 5, September/October 2011, pp 436-445.
Reviewed by Sally Marchant, midwife/editor.
