Assisted vaginal births: women who tear or have a surgical cut need prompt antibiotics

Many women who have an assisted vaginal birth (using forceps or a vacuum cup) develop infections. A previous study ( 2 External 0 0 0 ANODE false https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)30773-1/fulltext false false%>) showed that a single dose of preventive antibiotics protected women; this research led to a change in UK and WHO guidelines.
However, most women in the ANODE study had an episiotomy (surgical cut), so it was unclear if antibiotics also protected those with a tear of the perineum (the area between vagina and anus).
To address this uncertainty, researchers re-analysed the ANODE study data. They found that preventive antibiotics reduced infections after an assisted vaginal birth, irrespective of whether women had a perineal tear, an episiotomy, or both.
Women having an assisted birth were at greater risk of infection if antibiotics were delayed, if they had an episiotomy, a forceps birth, and/or were giving birth to their first child. Preventive antibiotics should be given as soon as possible to women who have an assisted vaginal birth, the researchers say.

Source: Current Awareness Service for Health (CASH) - May 3, 2023 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news