Combined massage and warm compress to the perineum during active second stage of labor in nulliparas: A randomized trial.

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 [NNT _b ] 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, NNT _b 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, NNT _b 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.
(© 2021 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.)