Comparing combined perineal massage and warm compress versus perineal massage during the second stage of labour in nulliparous women

ISRCTN ISRCTN10088409
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10088409
Submission date
27/05/2019
Registration date
12/06/2019
Last edited
11/06/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Vaginal birth can be associated with perineal tears and can be associated with both short and long-term morbidities eg pain, dyspareunia, bleeding and prolong recovery and nulliparous (no previous childbirth) women are at increased risk for perineal tear compared to multiparous (previously given birth) women.
Available techniques to prevent tears during the second stage of labour include perineal massage and warm compress, which have shown a reduction in perineal trauma. Thus this study was done to evaluate the effects of combined perineal massage and warm compression versus perineal massage alone during the active second stage of labour with the need for suturing of perineal trauma at vaginal birth.

Who can participate?
Nulliparous woman presenting in labour with presumed labour with age > 18 years old however the final recruitment only when patient achieve active second stage.

What does the study involve?
Participants will receive usual care during labour until the patient starts to push, then actual intervention will be started. Final eligibility for study entry of those recruited is only fulfilled when the woman in the second stage and about to commence pushing. Only at this point is a sealed envelope assigned and subsequently opened to decide the intervention to be carried out. The intervention will either be perineal massage alone or combined perineal massage with warm compression.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Both interventions are safely used during the second stage of labour

Where is the study run from?
University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2019 to December 2019

Who is funding the study?
Investigator funded

Who is the main contact?
Suriyanti Ahmad Shukri,
suriyanti@siswa.um.edu.my

Contact information

Dr Suriyanti Ahmad Shukri
Scientific

Universiti Malaya Medical Centre
Jalan Universiti
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia

Phone +60139886381
Email suriyanti@siswa.um.edu.my
Prof Tan Peng Chiong
Scientific

University Malaya Medical Centre
Jalan Universiti Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia

Phone +60123052970
Email tanpengchiong@yahoo.com

Study information

Study designSingle centre randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleCombined perineal massage and warm compress versus perineal massage during second stage in nulliparous - randomized control trial
Study objectivesCombine warm compress and perineal massage compared to perineal massage alone in nulliparous woman during second stage should result in less perineal suturing
Ethics approval(s)Approved 29/04/2019 Medical research Ethics Committee, University Malaya Medical Centre (Pusat Perkhidmatan Penyelidikan (PPP), Tingkat 2, Institut Pengurusan & Perkhidmatan Penyelidikan (IPPP), University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 03-79677022 (ext : 2369); umrec@um.edu.my), ref: 201926-7105
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedNulliparous women in the second stage of pregnancy
InterventionThis is a randomised control trial involving nulliparous patient at term ( >_37 weeks) who are admitted to an antenatal ward or labour ward of UM Hospital. Eligible patients will be identified using eligibility form and patient information sheet will be provided for those who fulfilled initial eligible criteria. Those who agreed to participate will be asked to provide written consent and will be recruited in this study.
Participants will receive usual care during labour until the patient starts to push, then actual intervention will be started. Final eligibility for study entry of those recruited is only fulfilled when the woman in the second stage and about to commence pushing. Only at this point is sealed number of envelope assigned and subsequently opened for the intervention to be carried out. Intervention will either be perineal massage alone or combine perineal massage with warm compression.
Perineal massage will be performed during contractions. A generous quantity of the KY-jelly will be poured onto fingers and using a gentle, slow massage, with 2 fingers of the gloved hand moving from side to side just inside the patient’s vagina. Mild, downward pressure (towards the rectum) is applied with steady, lateral strokes, which last 1 second in each direction. Pressure will be maintained at an intensity at which the woman did not feel any pain.
A warm compress will be applied between contractions. A sterile towel will be soaked in metal container filled with warm water (~50◦C) and squeezed before being placed gently on the perineum during each uterine contraction. The temperature should range from 38◦C to 44◦C during its application. During contractions, the towel should be re-soaked in the water to maintain warmth then reapplied again once the contraction is over. The water in the metal container will be replaced every 15 minutes until delivery or if the temperature dropped below 45◦C. The water temperature will be checked with a thermometer placed into the container.
Total duration of treatment will be during the second stage only.
Patient will be followed up soon after delivery for the outcomes.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measureRequirement for suturing for perineal injury (Episiotomy / spontaneous tears) measured after delivery.
Secondary outcome measuresMaternal outcomes
1. Interval from intervention to delivery
2. Mode of delivery: Vaginal delivery / Operative vaginal delivery / caesarean delivery
3. Indication for operative vaginal delivery/caesarean section
4. Perineal status: Intact, 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree, 4th degree tear
5. Maternal satisfaction with intervention (rate 1 - 10)
6. Estimated blood loss at delivery

Fetal outcomes
1. Apgar score at 1 min and 5 min
2. Birth weight
3. Arterial cord pH
4. Reason and location of neonatal admission and indication
Overall study start date07/02/2019
Completion date07/12/2019

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants280
Key inclusion criteria1 Initial recruitment: Presumed labour / Final recruitment: During active second stage
2 Nulliparous and no previous pregnancy beyond 20 week
3. Age of > 18
4. Gestational age of > 37 weeks at enrolment confirmed by ultrasound greater or less than 20 week
5. Singleton pregnancy
6. Planned vaginal birth
7. Cephalic presentation
Key exclusion criteria1. Has performed antenatal perineal massage
2. Gross fetal anomaly
3. Gross perineal scarring (e.g. female genital mutilation)
4. Caesarean section (post-randomisation exclusion)
Date of first enrolment14/06/2019
Date of final enrolment07/12/2019

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Malaysia

Study participating centre

University Malaya Medical Centre
Jalan Universiti
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia

Sponsor information

University Malaya Medical Centre
University/education

Department of Obstetric & Gynaecology
Jalan Universiti
Lembah Pantai
Kuala Lumpur
50603
Malaysia

Phone 0379494422
Email fomadmin@um.edu.my
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00vkrxq08

Funders

Funder type

Other

Investigator initiated and funded

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/12/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planAll data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication