Effect of Late Pregnancy Self-Perineal Massage on the Perineal State of the Primiparturients

Abd-Ella, Nadia Youssef; Kandeel, Hanan Abderahman Mostafa; Gouda, Ahlam Mohammed Ibrahim

doi:10.21608/tsnj.2021.208493

Effect of Late Pregnancy Self-Perineal Massage on the Perineal State of the Primiparturients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of Woman's Health & Midwifery, Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

² Assistant professor of Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt

³ Assistant professor of Woman's Health & Midwifery, Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt

10.21608/tsnj.2021.208493

Abstract

Perineal massage help to stretch the vaginal opening and surrounding perineal muscles through applying of external manual pressure, It increases the flexibility of the perineal muscles, thereby reducing muscle resistance, causing the perineum to stretch during labor without rupture and no need for an episiotomy. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of late pregnancy self-perineal massage on the perineal state of the primi-parturients. Methods: Quasi experimental design was used to conduct this study at a private hospital of obstetrics and gynecology specialty at El- Mahalla El –Kobra city, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. A nonprobability purposive sample of 68 pregnant women were invited to participate in the study and were divided into two groups (n=34 per each group); the intervention group (underwent late pregnancy self-perineal massage) and control group (underwent conventional hospital protocol of care). Two tools were used to collect the data; the first tool was a structured interview schedule to assess participants' basic characteristics. The second tool was assessment sheet to assess the duration of labor, perineal state and neonatal outcomes after delivery. Results: Post intervention, there was statistical significant difference between the studied groups regarding perineal trauma in which 82.4% of the subjects in the perineal massage group had intact perineum compared to 64.7% of the control group. The mean duration of second stage of labor was shorter in the perineal massage group compared to control group (54.411 ± 3.105 & 57.176 ± 2.989, respectively). Conclusion: The current study findings highlighted those primi-parturient women who perform late pregnancy selfperineal massage exhibits shorter duration of labor and experiences lower perineal trauma as well as reports lower postpartal perineal pain. This study recommended that late pregnancy self-perineal massage technique should be considered as a part of the routine perinatal care to reduce the incidence of perineal trauma.