Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to compare newly delivered women’s attitude, opinions, and experiences regarding episiotomy.
Methods: This cross-sectional study took place in the Dr Suliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH) from January 2025 to December 2025. All patients delivered vaginally were considered potential participants and were recruited at the postnatal ward and delivery room. The pretested and validated questionnaire was used to collect the data including the demographics, attitude, and opinion of participants towards episiotomy.
Results: Out of a total 355 participants, 328 were Saudi (92.4%), 183 were aged 31-40 years (51.5%), 216 had a bachelor’s degree (60.8%), and 207 were unemployed (58.3%). Most primigravida had their first birth (35.2%), and first episiotomy (60.6%). The majority of the participants (48.4%) were not sure about the episiotomy experience. A majority of the participants disagreed or strongly disagreed that episiotomy is a normal aspect of childbirth (combined n = 211 vs. n = 144 agreeing) and felt that episiotomy causes more postpartum pain (n = 308 agreeing vs. n = 47 disagreeing). Episiotomy had higher acceptance when advised by a doctor (n = 256 accepting) compared with when advised by a midwife. There was a strong positive correlation between a vaginal birth and an episiotomy (Spearman rho: 0.465, p-value =

Key words: Knowledge, attitude, newly delivered mothers, episiotomy, hospital experience, Saudi Arabia