Background: Midwives have a crucial role in caring for women with normal labor. Routine episiotomyhas no benefit and its used is not scientifically supported. Understanding midwives’ perception andexperiences would target the situation.This study aimed to explore midwives’ perceptions,experienceand reasons for routine episiotomy.Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory study was conductedin three maternity teaching hospitalsin Khartoum state on 85 midwives recruited randomly and consented to take part in the study. Aquestionnaire was constructed for the purpose of the study, and data were collected by interview withmidwives, on reasons for and rate of episiotomy and perceptions of midwives were recorded on a Likertscale. Suitable statistical methods were used.Results: A high percentage of the study participants 64(75.4%) were nurse midwives had a midwiferycertificate. With long years of experience more than ten years 54 (63.5%).The rate of episiotomieswas high 73(85.9%).The midwives reported nine clinical reasons , mainly preventscomplications,Prevents the perineum tears and helping birth (93%, 90%, 84.7%) respectively.Midwives perceivedthat; episiotomy “speeds up the second stage of labor”, “prevent perineal tears and urinary and fecalincontinence”, “Reduces fetal and maternal distress”,shoulder dystociacomplications, bleeding,laborpain, instrument-assisted delivery and allow for easier suturing”.There was a significant correlationbetween Midwives practice and their education with, P value =.001.Conclusion:The rate of routine episiotomy was high with Midwives misleading perspectives andviews
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Faiza Ali Nasor Taha (2021) studied this question.