Antenatal Perineal Training for Injuries Prevention: Follow Up after Puerperium.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Pelvic Floor Health
• Childbirth Preparation

Background:

• Pelvic floor injuries and postpartum dysfunctions are common complications of childbirth.
• Prenatal preparation methods aim to mitigate these risks.
• The effectiveness of stretching balloons and perineal massage requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of pelvic floor preparation with stretching balloons and perineal massage on the risk of perineal trauma and postpartum dysfunction.
• To compare the outcomes between a balloon stretching group, a perineal massage group, and a control group.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 150 primiparous women.
• Three groups: balloon stretching (N=50), perineal massage (N=39), and control (N=61).
• Data collected on perineal trauma, episiotomy rates, labor duration, and postpartum dysfunctions (incontinence, dyspareunia, posterior compartment symptoms).

Main Results:

• Prenatal perineal training significantly reduced perineal injury and episiotomy rates compared to the control group.
• The balloon stretching group showed significantly lower rates of urinary incontinence, dyspareunia, and posterior compartment symptoms compared to control and massage groups.
• Both preparation methods shortened the second stage of labor compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

• Stretching balloons and perineal massage are effective tools for preventing and reducing obstetric trauma during childbirth.
• These methods can decrease episiotomy rates and protect against pelvic floor dysfunctions.
• Stretching balloons appear to offer superior protection against specific postpartum dysfunctions like incontinence and dyspareunia.