Mary Steen (Br J Midwifery 6(9): 572-9) has suggested that research is required urgently into the merits of perineal suturing following normal births. We are pleased to report that such a study has just commenced in central Scotland. The two year study, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, The Scottish Office, is a randomized controlled trial of suturing versus non-suturing of first and second degree postpartum perineal tears in primiparous women. As suggested by Mary Steen, we found little research evidence which measured the benefits of suturing or non-suturing of the perineum. Our study, being carried out in a standardized manner, will examine differences in outcome between primiparous women who do and do not have suturing to first or second degree perineal lacerations sustained during spontaneous vaginal births between 37 and 42 weeks gestation.