Perineal Management Techniques to Reduce Perineal Trauma During The Second Stage of Labor.

Background: Perineal trauma is common among parturient women during vaginal delivery. Perineal trauma is mostly associated with pain and serious long life complications. Thus, prevention of perineal trauma becomes necessary. This study was conducted to assess the effect of perineal management techniques (warm compress and perineal massage) in reducing the incidence of perineal trauma during the second stage of labor. Patients and method: A randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out at Zagazig University Maternity Hospital during the period between February 2020 and November 2020. The study included 69 female patients divided into 3 groups; Group 1: including 23 women assigned to lubricated perineal massage, Group 2: including 23 women assigned to warm perineal compression, and Group 3: including 23 women assigned to routine care provided according to hospital protocol with neither perineal massage nor warm perineal compression (control group). Result: There was significant difference between the studied groups as regard the degree of perineal lacerations, as it was frequent in the control group (Group 3) especially 3rd- and 4th- degree perineal lacerations compared to the other two groups (P-value 0.0346). There was also significant difference between the studied groups as regard perineal suturing; it was more frequent in the control group (Group 3) compared to the other two groups (P-value 0.02635). Conclusion: The application of perineal warm compresses and lubricated perineal massage during the second stage of labor can reduce the occurrence and the degree of perineal laceration, and postpartum perineal pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]