The effects of warm perineum compress during the second phase of labor on first- birth outcomes

In the second stage of labour, caregivers are faced with two important issues, especially in the nulliparous women. One of the two issues is severe pain and the other is most likely intentional and spontaneous perineal trauma. This study was conducted to explore the effects of warm perineum compress during the second phase of labor on first- birth outcomes In this randomized clinical trial study, 150 primiparous women referred to Shoushtari and Hazrat Zainab (SA) hospital in Shiraz city who had inclusion criteria selected and were randomly divided into an experimental and a control group. Warm compress on perineum was used in experimental group and control group received usual cares in the second stage. Check lists for determining episiotomy indication, perineum intact and place, grade and size of laceration were completed after delivery for two groups. Pain severity was determined immediately after delivery by using McGill Pain tool. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 15 and Chi-Square, Fisher Exact Test, Independent T Test, Mann Whitney U and Odds Ratio Statistical tests with 0.05 Significant level. Result showed 29 women (38.7%) in experimental group and 5 women (6.7%) in control in group no need to suture. OR=8.8 (CI 95%: 3.18-24.46) P<0.001. need for episiotomy in experimental group was significantly lower than control group OR=0.112 (CI 95%: 0.045-0.274), P<0.001.The mean of pain severity in second stage and perineal pain severity on the first day after delivery in experimental group was significantly less than control group (p<0.001). The result of the study showed that using warm compress in the second stage of delivery can decrease perineal trauma and relief of pain in this stage.