Effect of Perineal Massage on Perineal Traumas for Nulliparous Women during Labor

Abstract

Background: Perineal trauma is linked to both short-term and long-term morbidity in women during childbirth, mainly caused by subsequent vaginal delivery. Subsequently, interventional measures which increase the probability of intact perineum are needed. Aim of this research study was to evaluate the effect of perineal massage on perineal traumas for nulliparous women during labor. Methods: a comparative quasi-experimental research design was utilized on a purposive sample consisted of 74 laboring women at delivery room, which affiliated to Suez Canal University Hospital. The necessary data was collected using three tools as; a structured interview questionnaire, observational chicklist, and a visual analogue scale. Results: perineal massage during labor increased the incidence of intact perineum significantly in the intervention group than the control group (54.05% & 29.73%) respectively. As well, it lowers the severity of the perineal pain among the intervention group than the control group at the end of labor and the fourth stage of labor. Conclusions: perineum massage in the active phase of labor is considered to be a safe technique to eliminate the risk of perineal trauma, episiotomy, and perineal pain in addition to enhance the quality of life in those delivered vaginally. Practice implications: awareness program about the benefits of perineal message for nulliparous women should be conducted by their health care providers