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NCT Number: NCT05962918

Perineal Massage Performed During the Labour

In this study, perineal massage was applied to primiparous women who did not give birth before, as a quasi-experimental control group to determine the effects of massage on birth comfort, perineal trauma and perineal pain.

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Key information

Conditions

Delivery Problem Behavior Childrearing Dystocia Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Health Behavior Labor Pain Neurologic Manifestations Obstetric Labor Complications Pain Pain, Labor Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Patient Satisfaction Perineal Tear Perineum; Injury Pregnancy Complications Satisfaction, Patient Signs and Symptoms Treatment Adherence and Compliance Urogenital Diseases Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year–35 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Munzur University

Tunceli, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

In this study, perineal massage was applied to primiparous women who did not give birth before, as a quasi-experimental control group to determine the effects of massage on birth comfort, perineal trauma and perineal pain. Perineal massage was administered to all pregnant women in the experimental group during both the labor and resting phases between contractions. The participants received an average of 5-10 minutes of perineal massage two, four and four to six times at the latent (0-3-cm cervical dilation), active (4-7-cm cervical dilation) and transition (8-10-cm cervical dilation) phases of labor, respectively. These women continued to receive perineal massage at every push throughout the second stage of labor. Before perineal massage, the researcher wore sterile gloves, placed two fingers into the 3-4-cm wide-open vagina and applied Vaseline routinely to lubricate the vagina in the delivery room. . Perineal massage was applied using all three of the "from one edge to the other", "U shape" and "pressure" massage techniques. The researcher gently applied a rhythmic "U" pressure with both fingers, moving them on the vagina downwards about 3 to 9 o'clock. Each pressure movement was maintained laterally for 1-2 minutes towards the rectum.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Having no complications for vaginal delivery
  • Having no dystocia affecting the birth process (e.g., prolonged labor, precipitate labor, shoulder dystocia)
  • Having a singleton pregnancy,
  • Having a fetal head with an anterior cephalic position,
  • Being at the latent phase of labor,
  • Having no perineal scar tissue,
  • Having no diagnosis of vaginal fungus or infection,
  • Having a fetus with a birth weight between 2500 and 4000 g,
  • Having no communication problems.

Exclusion criteria

-All pregnant women who developed fetal distress during labor or had to undergo cesarean delivery were excluded from the study.

Treatment and study plan

Perinal massage

Other

Perineal massage was administered to all pregnant women in the experimental group during both the labor and resting phases between contractions. The participants received an average of 5-10 minutes of perineal massage two, four and four to six times at the latent (0-3-cm cervical dilation), active (4-7-cm cervical dilation) and transition (8-10-cm cervical dilation) phases of labor, respectively. These women continued to receive perineal massage at every push throughout the second stage of labor. The researcher midwife gently widened the perineal muscles by making stretching movements with her fingers. Perineal massage was applied using all three of the "from one edge to the other", "U shape" and "pressure" massage techniques. The researcher gently applied a rhythmic "U" pressure with both fingers, moving them on the vagina downwards about 3 to 9 o'clock. Each pressure movement was maintained laterally for 1-2 minutes towards the rectum.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in perineal pain scores

    Time frame: 4-6 hours after the childbirth

    The mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores of the pregnant women in the experimental and control groups were compared to determine the level of perineal pain. Women were asked to rate pain from zero to 10. A score of zero means no pain, while 10 = indicates the most severe pain experienced.

  2. Change in childbirth comfort scores

    Time frame: 4-6 hours after coming to labor

    The "Childbirth Comfort Questionnaire (CCQ)" score averages were compared to determine the birth comfort levels of the pregnant women in the experimental and control groups. As the score increases, high-level comfort is mentioned, as the score decreases, low-level comfort is mentioned. The lowest and highest possible total scale scores are 9 and 45.

  3. Change in perineal trauma scores

    Time frame: 4-6 hours after the childbirth.

    The REEDA scale mean scores were compared to determine the perineal trauma levels of the women in the experimental and control groups. The REEDA scale, consists of five variables of wound healing. These variables are redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge and approximation of the wound edges. The scale items are scored between 0 and 3 points. The lowest and highest possible total scale scores are 0 and 15. A higher score indicates a greater level of perineal trauma.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Munzur University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Effects of Perineal Massage Performed During Labor on Childbirth Comfort, Perineal Pain and Trauma in Nulliparous Women: A Quasi Experimental Study

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Jul 27, 2023
Registry last updated
Jul 27, 2023

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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