RE: [ozmidwifery] perineal massage

[Vedrana Valčić]

As for research, I don’t know if this is still relevant:   http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10076134&dopt=Abstract   Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1999 Mar;180(3 Pt 1):593-600. Related Articles, Links      Randomized controlled trial of prevention of perineal trauma by perineal massage during pregnancy.   Labrecque M, Eason E, Marcoux S, Lemieux F, Pinault JJ, Feldman P, Laperriere L.   Department of Family Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada.   OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of perineal massage during pregnancy for the prevention of perineal trauma at birth.Study Design: Pregnant women with (n = 493) and without (n = 1034) a previous vaginal birth from 5 hospitals in the province of Quebec, Canada, participated in this single-blind, randomized, controlled trial. All participants received oral and written information on the prevention of perineal trauma. Women in the experimental groups were requested to perform a 10-minute perineal massage daily from the 34th or 35th week of pregnancy until delivery. RESULTS: Among participants without a previous vaginal birth, 24.3% (100/411) from the perineal massage group and 15.1% (63/417) from the control group were delivered vaginally with an intact perineum, for a 9.2% absolute difference (95% confidence interval 3.8%-14.6%). The incidence of delivery with an intact perineum increased with compliance with regular practice of perineal massage (chi2 for trend 13.2, P = 0.0003). Among women with a previous vaginal birth, 34.9% (82/235) and 32.4% (78/241) in the massage and control groups, respectively, were delivered with an intact perineum, for an absolute difference of 2.5% (95% confidence interval -6.0% to 11.0%). There were no differences between the groups in the frequency of sutured vulvar and vaginal tears, women's sense of control, and satisfaction with the delivery experience. CONCLUSION: Perineal massage is an effective approach to increasing the chance of delivery with an intact perineum for women with a first vaginal delivery but not for women with a previous vaginal birth.   Publication Types: Clinical Trial Multicenter Study Randomized Controlled Trial   PMID: 10076134 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]   From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of jo Sent: Wednesday, May 17, 2006 11:48 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] perineal massage   As she feels the burning sensation on the peri encourage her to stop pushing and pant ‘ha ha ha ha’or blow to allow the uterus to expel the baby without added her own force to it - usually saying ‘stop pushing’ isn’t enough and can be confusing - so to start panting or blowing yourself will give her the cue to follow.   jo   From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au] On Behalf Of Ken Ward Sent: Wednesday, 17 May 2006 6:30 PM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: RE: [ozmidwifery] perineal massage   Nice slow stretching as the head descends. Good nutrition -----Original Message----- From: owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au [mailto:owner-ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au]On Behalf Of Päivi Laukkanen Sent: Wednesday, 17 May 2006 7:37 AM To: ozmidwifery@acegraphics.com.au Subject: [ozmidwifery] perineal massage Hi everyone,   In my store we sell an organic oil by Weleda for perineal massage. (  almond oil, wheat germ oil, natural essential oils.) Many women seem to think, that if they simply apply this oil, it will prevent tears. I am planning to add some info on perineal massage on our website and also prepare a handout to give with the oil. I would appreciate any good links on this subject and answers to these questions:   What do you consider the main factors, when preventing tears and episiotomies? (other than perineal massage)   Where can I find research on this subject or effectiveness of perineal massage?   Päivi