Is it necessary to suture all lacerations after a vaginal delivery?

Background: Midwives tend to leave minor perineal lacerations to heal spont aneously, and clinical experience and studies show that women can suffer fr om their stitched lacerations. The study purpose was to determine any diffe rences in the healing process and experience of minor perineal lacerations when they were sutured or not sutured. Methods: Eighty term pregnant primip aras with minor perineal lacerations of grades I-ii were randomized after c hildbirth. The experimental group was nonsutured and the control group was sutured. A follow-up examination was performed at 2 to 3 days, 8 weeks, and 6 months after the delivery. Participants were asked about the type of dis comfort, and the effect of the laceration on breastfeeding and sexual inter course. Results: No significant differences were found in the healing proce ss. The type of pain differed between the groups, but the amount of discomf ort was the same. The sutured group had to visit the midwife more often bec ause of discomfort from the stitches. Sixteen percent of the women in the s utured group, but none in the nonsutured group (p = 0.0385), considered tha t the laceration had had a negative influence on breastfeeding. Conclusions : Minor perineal lacerations can be left to heal spontaneously. The benefit s for the woman include the possibility of having a choice, avoiding the di scomfort of anesthesia and suturing, providing positive affects on breastfe eding.