HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by HOWARD, D. Articles by SMALL, Y. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by HOWARD, D. Articles by SMALL, Y.

Differences in Perineal Lacerations in Black and White Primiparas

From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the School of Nursing, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Address reprint requests to: Denise Howard, MD, MPH University of Michigan Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology 1500 East Medical Center Drive L4000 Women’s Hospital, Box 0276 Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0276 E-mail: denhow{at}umich.edu

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there are no differences in incidence of perineal and vaginal lacerations in primiparous black and white women.

Methods: We reviewed University of Michigan Hospital delivery records, from July 1996 to December 1998, of black and white women 18 years and older and at least 35 weeks’ gestation who had their first vaginal delivery. Birth weight, episiotomy, gestational age, laceration, length of second stage, oxytocin use, epidural use, and operative vaginal delivery were analyzed by univariable and multivariable tests.

Results: We analyzed 176 black women (mean age ± standard deviation 23.7 ± 4.7 years; range 18–41 years) and 1633 white women (27.8 ± 5.4 years; 18–49 years; P < .001). Black women were less likely to have second, third, or fourth degree lacerations (43% compared with 59%; P < .001). The mean length of second stage of labor was shorter in the black women (73 ± 69 minutes; range 3–494 minutes compared with 106 ± 78 minutes; range 2–642 minutes; P < .001). Infants of black women weighed less (3292 ± 490 g; 1990–5190 g compared with 3429 ± 470 g; 1860–4950 g; P < .001). Multivariable analysis showed that black women were twice as likely to deliver with intact perineums than white women (P < .001).

Conclusion: Black primiparas were less likely to deliver with second-degree or greater lacerations and more likely to deliver with their perineums intact.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				V. L. Handa, M. E. Lockhart, J. R. Fielding, C. S. Bradley, L. Brubaker, G. W. Cundiff, W. Ye, H. E. Richter, and for the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network Racial Differences in Pelvic Anatomy by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Obstet. Gynecol., April 1, 2008; 111(4): 914 - 920. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Sawyer Sommers Defining Patterns of Genital Injury From Sexual Assault: A Review Trauma Violence Abuse, July 1, 2007; 8(3): 270 - 280. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. L. Burgio, P. S. Goode, J. L. Locher, M. G. Umlauf, D. L. Roth, H. E. Richter, R. E. Varner, and L. K. Lloyd Behavioral Training With and Without Biofeedback in the Treatment of Urge Incontinence in Older Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial JAMA, November 13, 2002; 288(18): 2293 - 2299. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Goldberg, D. Holtz, T. Hyslop, and J. E. Tolosa Has the Use of Routine Episiotomy Decreased? Examination of Episiotomy Rates From 1983 to 2000 Obstet. Gynecol., March 1, 2002; 99(3): 395 - 400. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. C Barros, C. G Victora, and B. L Horta Ethnicity and infant health in Southern Brazil. A birth cohort study Int. J. Epidemiol., October 1, 2001; 30(5): 1001 - 1008. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]