Perineal Analgesia With an Ice Pack After Spontaneous Vaginal Birth: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an ice pack applied for 20 minutes to alleviate perineal pain after spontaneous vaginal birth. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial at the Amparo Maternal Birth Center in São Paulo, Brazil. Study participants included 114 nullipa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of midwifery & women's health 2011-03, Vol.56 (2), p.141-146
Main Authors: Leventhal, Lucila Coca, de Oliveira, Sonia Maria Junqueira Vasconcellos, Nobre, Moacyr Roberto Cuce, da Silva, Flora Maria Barbosa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Analgesia
Analgesia, Obstetrical - methods
Birthing centers
Brazil
Childbirth & labor
Clinical trials
cryotherapy
Effectiveness studies
Female
Humans
Ice
Nursing
Pain
Pain Management
Pain Measurement
perineal management
perineal trauma
Perineum
Postpartum Period
Pregnancy
Randomized controlled trials
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Vagina
Vaginal birth
Women
Young Adult
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Summary:Introduction: This study evaluated the effectiveness of an ice pack applied for 20 minutes to alleviate perineal pain after spontaneous vaginal birth. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial at the Amparo Maternal Birth Center in São Paulo, Brazil. Study participants included 114 nulliparous women divided into 3 groups (n = 38 per group): experimental (ice packs on the perineum), placebo (water packs at set temperature), and control (no treatment). Results: A numerical scale (0 to 10) was used for pain assessment. A comparison of the average pain at the beginning and after 20 minutes showed a significant reduction of pain (P < .001) in the 3 groups, and the experimental group had a lower average score for pain compared with the control group (1.6 versus 3.3, P = .032). Discussion: The use of ice packs for 20 minutes was effective for perineal pain relief after vaginal birth. The 20‐minute application of an icepack for relief of postpartum perineal pain is effective and has no adverse effects
ISSN:1526-9523
1542-2011
DOI:10.1111/j.1542-2011.2010.00018.x