The study aims to describe the sensations lived by women during the accomplishment of episiotomy and also to analyze the repercussions of this practice on their sexuality. It is qualitative study accomplished with ten women in a governmental maternity administrated by the Rio de Janeiro’s Municipal Health Office, from September to December 2005. Data were obtained by semi-structured interview and the statements were classified according the content analysis methodology. The sensations lived by the women during the procedure are associated to a trauma for being painful, for being provoked by external agents to their corporal physiology and without their previous consent. The episiotomy affected the women’s sexuality for interfering in their childbirths, in their sexual and family relationships. We concluded that, because the episiotomy represents violation of the women’s sexual and reproductive rights, it is indispensable that nurses accomplish the perineal protection procedure as one incorporated in their daily practice.
Episiotomy; Sexuality; Women’s Health; Reproductive Medicine