The use of perineal massage in the second stage of labor and follow-up of postpartum perineal outcomes.

Because perineal trauma causes both short- and long-term problems after labor, the high rate of episiotomies and spontaneous lacerations is an important women's health problem in Turkey. Our aim in this study was to investigate whether perineal massage during labor decreased perineal trauma and trauma-related problems. The study included 396 pregnant women who were giving birth for the first time, between March 2007 and February 2009, in Turkey. It can be concluded that perineal massage decreases the amount of suture material required for episiotomy and thereby the size of the episiotomy and the rate of episiotomies and lacerations.