Effect of perineal massage on the incidence of episiotomy and perineal laceration

Abstract

Background: Perineal traumas particularly caused by following vaginal delivery are associated with short and long term morbidity for women. Therefore, interventions that increase the probability of intact perineum are necessary. The aim of study was to determine the effect of perineal massage with a sterile lubricant on the incidence of episiotomy and perinea laceration. Materials: This clinical trial study was performed on 145 nulliparous women who referred to Amol Emam Ali teaching center for normal delivery. They were randomly participating in interventional group (massage with lubricant) (45 cases) or control group (100 cases). In massage group when they progressed to full dilatation of the cervix, the midwife inserted two fingers inside vagina and using a sweeping motion gently stretched the perineum with lubricant 5 up to 10 minutes, in and between mother’s pushing in the second stage of labour. In control group just Ritgen Maneuver was applied. At last, we compared the rate of intact perineum, episiotomy and laceration, mean duration of the second stage of labor and Apgar score in 1 and 5 minutes between two groups. Statistical analyses were performed using t-test, Chi Square to determine potentially significant associations, and a p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The incidences of intact perineum, episiotomy and laceration were 22.2% (10), 44.4% (20), 33.3% (15) respectively in interventional group. In control group, intact perineum, episiotomy and laceration were: 20.2% (20), 49.3% (71), 28.3% (28) respectively. This difference was not statis- tically significant. Rate of first-degree laceration was 33.3% (15) in massage group, while this percent was 28.3% (28) in control group. This difference was not statistically significant. In massage and control groups, second, third and fourth-degree lacerations did not occur. Conclusion: The results showed that massage with a sterile lubricant provides no apparent and significant advantage or disadvantage in reducing perineal trauma. Therefore, the use of massage as technique for perineal control is safe based on labour criteria and woman’s preference during delivery.