Perineal Analgesia With an Ice Pack After Spontaneous Vaginal Birth: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

The use of ice packs for 20 minutes was effective for perineal pain relief after vaginal birth.

Crioterapia no pós-parto: tempo de aplicação e mudanças na temperatura perineal

“…Subjects in this study were randomized into three groups: the experimental group, composed of women who received an applica on of an ice pack for 20 minutes, the placebo group, composed of women who used a bag of water at room temperature, and the control group, composed of women who did not receive any interven on. The authors concluded that applying an ice pack for 20 minutes was eff ec ve at relieving perineal pain a er delivery (12) .…”

“…In the current study, were included only 114 postpartum women underwent to cryotherapy: 38 women used ice for 20 minutes in the fi rst study (Group C) (12) and 76 women par cipated in the second trial. Of the 76 women in the second trial, 38 women used an ice pack for 10 minutes (Group A) and 38 women underwent cryotherapy for 15 minutes (Group B) (14) .…”

“…Of the 76 women in the second trial, 38 women used an ice pack for 10 minutes (Group A) and 38 women underwent cryotherapy for 15 minutes (Group B) (14) . Data from women in the control and placebo groups in the fi rst study (12) were not included in this study because those women did not receive an applica on of ice.…”

“…The available evidence regarding perineal temperature achieved a er applying ice was restricted to data for 20-minute sessions (12) , and there was no consensus on whether cooling for 10 or 15 minutes promoted a perineal temperature compa ble with the recommended level for analgesia (13) .…”

Comparison of application times for ice packs used to relieve perineal pain after normal birth: a randomised clinical trial

“…During this first stage, the population was divided into three groups: experimental, which consisted of postnatal women who were administered an ice pack on the perineum for 20 minutes; placebo, in which a water pack at room temperature was used and control, which did not use the pack. The study concluded that use of the ice pack for 20 minutes was effective to relieve perineal pain after normal birth (Leventhal et al. 2011).…”