Episiotomy at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria: A 3-Year Review

Background: Episiotomy continues to be increasingly performed in our labor wards despite current scientific evidence restricting its use. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, indications, and establish reference point for future studies on episiotomy in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Patients and Methods: This was a 3-year retrospective study of vaginal deliveries in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, from January, 1, 2010 to December 31, 2012. The parturients who had episiotomy were identified from the labor ward register and the following information was extracted: Parity, type of vaginal delivery, gestational age at delivery, birth weight, Apgar scores, and estimated blood loss. The information obtained were analyzed and presented. Results: The episiotomy rate was 41.4%. Episiotomy was commonly performed in primigravidae (79.4%) than multigravidae (X 2 = 3017, P 2 = 669.7, P 2 = 172.4, P t = 95.82, P Conclusion: Episiotomy rate is high in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Midwives and doctors conducting deliveries should be educated on the indications for episiotomy and early repair to reduce associated postpartum blood loss.