introduction: women frequently suffer from perineal trauma during childbirth, especially during the first childbirth. this study was conducted to determine the effect of perineal massage during pregnancy on perineal lacerations and perineal pain.
Methods
material & methods: this clinical trial study was performed on 150 women who referred to beasat hospital of sanandaj .they were participating in intervention and control group . women in intervention group were instructed to practice an 8 minute perineal massage daily with olive oil from 34th week of gestation until delivery. all of them were taught about postpartum perineal pain and its severity, and the researcher followed them up 3 days, 10 days, and 3 months after childbirth by telephone.
Results
Results: the incidences of episiotomy were 53.33% and 57.33% respectively in interventional and control groups. this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). the incidences of first degree tear, second degree tear and urethra tear were 82.82%, 9.09% and 9.09% respectively in interventional group. in control group, of first degree tear, second degree tear ,urethra and vestibule tear were: 72.23%,11.11%, 16.66% respectively. this difference was statically significant (p<0.05). the postpartum perineal pain was different in both group. comparison of degrees of pain in the two groups showed that the severity of pain 3 days and 3 months after childbirth was significant (p = 0.000), but the severity of pain in the 10th day did not differ significantly (p = 0.55).
Conclusion
Conclusions: antenatal perineal massage was found to significant effect on incidence of intact perineum, episiotomy and postnatal perineal pain.
