Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 20, 2025
An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain PPOP
Published on: January 27, 2010
Combined massage and warm compress to the perineum during active second stage of labor in nulliparas: A randomized
Yi Pei Goh1, Peng Chiong Tan1, Jesrine Gek Shan Hong1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Objective:
To evaluate the combined effect of massage and warm compress to the perineum (MassComp) compared with standard "hands-off" in the second stage of labor.
Methods:
A randomized trial was conducted in a University hospital in Malaysia. Nulliparous women at term who were about to start pushing were randomized to massage during pushing and warm compress to the perineum in between pushes or to standard "hands-off" care. Primary outcome was suturing for perineal injury (episiotomy or tear).
Results:
A total of 156 participants were analyzed based on intention to treat. Perineal repair rates were 53/79 (67%) for MassComp versus 70/77 (91%) for control (relative risk [RR] 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.61-0.98, number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome [NNTb ] 5, 95% CI 2.83-8.62, P < 0.001). Of the secondary outcomes, participants' satisfaction with care (visual numerical rating scale 0-10; 8.3 ± 1.2 vs 7.8 ± 1.2, P = 0.014), major perineal injury (second degree or higher) rates 34/79 (43%) versus 51/77 (66%) (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.58-0.97, NNTb 5, 95% CI 2.61-12.56, P = 0.004), episiotomy rates 28/79 (37%) versus 40/77 (53%) (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52-0.98, NNTb 8, 95% CI 3.63-36.46, P = 0.043), intervention to delivery intervals 29.5 ± 13.6 versus 27.9 ± 13.8 minutes (P = 0.472) and spontaneous vaginal delivery rates 63/79 (79.7%) versus 56/77 (72.7%) (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.92-1.34, P = 0.306) for MassComp versus control, respectively.
Conclusion:
Massage and warm compress during pushing decreased the perineal suturing, major perineal injury, and episiotomy rates and improved maternal satisfaction.
Clinical Trial Registration:
https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN42773879.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
01:26Muscles of the Pelvic Floor and Perineum
Perineal Layer
The perineum is a diamond-shaped area below the pelvic diaphragm, divided into an anterior urogenital triangle that contains the external genitals and a posterior anal triangle housing the anus. The urogenital...