Chapter Cohort Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Chapter Study – Childbirth acquired perinatal trauma study; a cohort study
IRAS ID
320118
Contact name
Victoria Hodgetts-Morton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 0 days
Research summary
Each year in the UK, 80% of women who give birth vaginally (450,000 women) experience damage to the surrounding area. This may result from tears or cuts to tissues, muscles and skin around the bladder, vagina and perineum (the skin between the vagina and back passage). This is called Childbirth Related Perineal Trauma (CRPT). CRPT needs to be managed carefully and effectively to promote successful healing. If not managed correctly, women can be left with persistent pelvic floor complications (e.g. incontinence) or psychological problems (e.g. depression or trouble bonding with baby). Women can suffer from the consequences of perineal wound related complications for many years and some require complex corrective reconstructive surgery. Other women suffer from their perineal wound complications in silence and risk becoming isolated. We currently do not collect information to tell us how frequent or serious these complications are, but we know that 15% of re-admissions to hospital after childbirth come from perineal wound problems (costing the NHS £2.4 million each year). There is very little research to tell us which women might be more likely to suffer complications from CPRT or experience longer-term health problems.
We propose to undertake an observational research study in multiple maternity units with the aim of recruiting 1000 women (≥ 16 years) following childbirth who have sustained CRPT. We will ask participants to complete online questionnaires at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months postnatal. Data will be collected related to CRPT experience, complications and the impact it has on women’s physical and mental health.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
23/WA/0169
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jun 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion