A randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness of icepacks and Epifoam with cooling maternity gel pads at alleviating postnatal perineal trauma

A randomised clinical trial of the effect of low-level laser therapy for perineal pain and healing after episiotomy: A pilot study

“…However, we observed in this study that even after the administration of oral analgesics, a large number of postpartum women (30-57.7%) reported perineal pain, corroborating the findings of another clinical study (Steen et al, 2000) and indicating the insufficiency of that medical treatment for perineal pain relief.…”

Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma

“…There is considerable variation in the number of reported rates of perineal trauma between countries partly due to differences in definitions and reporting practices (Byrd 2005). Studies show that the extent of perineal trauma often is underestimated (Groom 2002;Steen 2000). Studies with restrictive use of episiotomy report rates of perineal trauma that require suturing between 44% and 65% (Albers 1999;Brown 1998;Soong 2005).…”

Topically applied anaesthetics for treatment of perineal pain after childbirth

“…However, about 35 to 45% of women who give birth in a hospital have an episiotomy . The degree of perineal trauma is often under-estimated by healthcare professionals (Steen 2000) and so too is the impact of perineal trauma on experiences of motherhood (Glazener 1995). Negative consequences include reduced mobility, urinary and faecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction.…”