THE EFFECT OF MASSAGE TECHNIQUES AND WARM COMPRESSES ON PERINEAL TRAUMA: A SCOPING REVIEW
Abstract
Perineal trauma is commonly associated with vaginal delivery and can have adverse effects on maternal health and quality of life. One of the approaches to reducing perineal trauma is the use of massage therapy and warm compresses. The aim of this study is to obtain information regarding the effects of massage therapy and warm compresses on perineal trauma. This study employed a scoping review method to map the characteristics, types of interventions, and available scientific evidence regarding perineal massage and warm compresses. A literature search was conducted across six databases: PubMed, EBSCOhost, Scopus, Cambridge, Garuda, and SINTA, using the following keywords: woman in labor, perineal massage, hot compress, and perineal injury. The inclusion criteria were articles published between 2015 and 2025, written in Indonesian or English, available in full text, using RCT, clinical trial, or experimental study designs, and categorized as primary research. The outcomes of interest were perineal massage and warm compress interventions aimed at reducing perineal trauma. The exclusion criteria were articles published in predatory journals and literature reviews. The analysis included six articles discussing massage techniques and warm compresses for reducing perineal trauma. Four articles reported that perineal massage and warm compress interventions could reduce perineal trauma, whereas two articles found no significant difference between perineal massage and warm compresses in reducing perineal trauma. Perineal massage and warm compress interventions can be recommended as non-pharmacological approaches to reduce perineal trauma during childbirth.
Keywords: Perineal massage; perineal trauma; warm compress.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Aasheim V, Nilsen ABV, Reinar LM, L. M. (2017). Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma and postpartum complications (Review). The Cochrane Collaboration., 6. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD016148.www.cochranelibrary.com
Akbarzadeh, M., Vaziri, F., Farahmand, M., Masoudi, Z., Amooee, S., & Zare, N. (2016). The Effect of Warm Compress Bistage Intervention on the Rate of Episiotomy, Perineal Trauma, and Postpartum Pain Intensity in Primiparous Women with Delayed Valsalva Maneuver Referring to the Selected Hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in . Advances in Skin and Wound Care, 29(2), 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000476073.96442.91
Ar, D., Ashwood, P., Martis, R., Stewart, F., & Le, G. (2020). Relief of pain due to uterine cramping/involution a er birth (Review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 10. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004908.pub3.www.cochranelibrary.com
Asrianti Safitri Muchtar, Trisna Handayani, I. N. (2023). Management of Intrapartum Midwifery Care Mrs ‘E’ with Level II Perineal Rupture at UPT BLUD Puskesmas Watampone, Bone Regency. Midwifery, 5(2), 149–158. https://doi.org/10.24252/jmw.v5i2.40169
Bqlein, A. S., & Badr, H. (2024). Effects of Warm Compresses on the Perineal Area During the Active Phase of Labor: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Cureus, 16(8). https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.67825
Cakwira, H., Mukengere, M., Lucien, B., Tunde, A., Sironge, L., Vhosi, M., & Akilimali, A. (2022). The clinical characteristics of perineal tears : A study carried out on 14 pregnant women in a tertiary center : Case series. Annals of Medicine and Surgery, 82(June), 104432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104432
Caldeira, C. F. (2021). Prevalence , characteristics , and impact of pain during the postpartum period. Rev Esc Enferm USP, 55, 1–7.
da Costa Monguilhott, J. J., Brüggemann, O. M., Velho, M. B., Knobel, R., & Costa, R. (2022). Antenatal perineal massage for trauma prevention: a pilot randomized clinical trial. ACTA Paulista de Enfermagem, 35, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.37689/acta-ape/2022AO03813459
Doumouchtsis, S. K., de Tayrac, R., Lee, J., Daly, O., Melendez-Munoz, J., Lindo, F. M., Cross, A., White, A., Cichowski, S., Falconi, G., & Haylen, B. (2023). An International Continence Society (ICS)/ International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) joint report on the terminology for the assessment and management of obstetric pelvic floor disorders. In International Urogynecology Journal (Vol. 34, Issue 1). Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00192-022-05397-x
Dwan, K., Fox, T., Lutje, V., Lavender, T., & Mills, T. A. (2024). Perineal techniques during the second stage of labour for reducing perineal trauma and postpartum complications. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2024(10). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD016148
Fitri, N., & Simamora, L. (2022). The Effect of Perineal Massage in Reducing Perineal Rupture During Labor. Journal of Health (JoH), 9(1), 9–16.
Heitmann, K., & Schjøtt, J. (2020). Safe Mother Medicine : Aiming to Increase Women ’ s Empowerment in Use of Medications During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 24(5), 531–536. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-020-02903-9
Hong, J. G. S., Abdullah, N., Rajaratnam, R. K., Ahmad Shukri, S., Tan, S. P., Hamdan, M., & Lim, B. K. (2022). Combined perineal massage and warm compress compared to massage alone during active second stage of labour in nulliparas: A randomised trial. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 270, 144–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.01.011
Iraj, F. (2024). The Application of Foot Reflexology for Anxiety and Pain Management in Women ’ s Childbirth : A Literature Review. Health Rep Technology, 10(2).
Karsa, S. B., Antonius, P. A., Fitria, H., Insani, A. A., Fadila, Z., & Dimba, M. (2025). Perineal Trauma Impact on Postpartum Sexual Function : A Cross-Sectional Study Using Female Sexual Function Index. Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan, 9, 341–353.
Kementrian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia. (2025). Profil Kesehatan Indonesia 2024. Kementrian Kesehatan Republik Indonesia.
Lima-de-la-iglesia, C., Magni, E., & Botello-hermosa, A. (2024). Benefits of Complementary Therapies During Pregnancy , Childbirth and Postpartum Period : A Systematic Review. Health Care, 12(2481), 1–18.
Mackenzie, J., Murray, E., & Lusher, J. (2017). Women’s experiences of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain. Midwifery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2017.10.011
Man, R., Morton, V. H., & Morris, R. K. (2024). Childbirth-related perineal trauma and its complications: prevalence, risk factors and management. Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, 34(9), 252–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogrm.2024.06.003
Meister, M. R. L., Msci, A. G. C., Msci, S. N. C., Mph, C. L. W., & Lowder, J. L. (2016). Predicting obstetric anal sphincter injuries in a modern obstetric population. The American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 215(3), 310.e1-310.e7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2016.02.041
National Instutute for Health and Care Excellence. (2026). Postnatal care. Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, 85(47), 70–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/1755738013479943
Nguyen, N. T., Lam, Q. M., & Do, H. T. (2024). The effectiveness of warm perineal compresses during the second stage of labor on perineal trauma and labor pain: A Systematic Review. Journal of Research Development in Nursing and Midwifery, 21(2), 16–21. https://doi.org/10.29252/jgbfnm.21.2.16
Opondo, C., Harrison, S., Sanders, J., Quigley, M. A., & Alderdice, F. (2023). The relationship between perineal trauma and postpartum psychological outcomes: a secondary analysis of a population-based survey. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 23(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-023-05950-6
Prunet, C., Zhang, W., Langhoff-roos, J., & C, Z. N. (2016). Variations in rates of severe perineal tears and episiotomies in 20 European countries : a study based on routine national data in Euro-Peristat Project. AOGS, 95, 746–754. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.12894
Putri, R. D., Novianti, N., & Maryani, D. (2021). Ketidaknyamanan Pada Ibu Hamil, Bersalin, Dan Nifas. Journal Of Midwifery, 9(1), 38–43. https://doi.org/10.37676/jm.v9i1.1346
Rajabaliev, E., Lasorda, K., Ibarra, A., Kenkre, T., Levine, M. D., & Lim, G. (2023). Association between labor and delivery pain and postpartum pain with symptoms and clinical diagnosis of postpartum depression in patients with overweight and obesity. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 307(5), 1441–1449. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-022-06625-x
Rodrigues, S., Silva, P., Rocha, F., Monterroso, L., Neves, J., Quintal, N., Sousa, D., & Escuriet, R. (2023). Perineal massage and warm compresses – Randomised controlled trial for reduce perineal trauma during labor. Midwifery, 124, 103763. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.midw.2023.103763
Sartore, A., Scalia, M. S., Mangino, F. P., Savastano, G., Magni, E., & Ricci, G. (2024). Pelvic floor function after third and fourth degree perineal lacerations : a case ‑ control study on quality of life. BMC Women’s Health, 24(12), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02739-9
Shqara, R. A., Binenbaum, A., Nahir Biderman, S., Sgayer, I., Keidar, R., Ganim, N., Lowenstein, L., & Mustafa Mikhail, S. (2025). Does combining warm perineal compresses with perineal massage during the second stage of labor reduce perineal trauma? A randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology MFM, 7(1), 101547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2024.101547
Smith, C. A., Dahlen, H. G., Hill, E., Denejkina, A., & Thornton, C. (2022). Integrative Medicine Research The effectiveness and safety of complementary health approaches to managing postpartum pain : A systematic review and meta-analysis. Integrative Medicine Research, 11(1), 100758. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imr.2021.100758
Smith, L. A., Price, N., Simonite, V., & Burns, E. E. (2013). Incidence of and risk factors for perineal trauma : a prospective observational study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 1–9.
Sukmawati Sukmawati, K. K. (2026). Efektifitas terapi Pijat Untuk Mengurangi Nyeri Pada Ibu Post Partum : Literature Review. Journal of Maternity Care and Reproductive Health, 9(1), 55–77.
Tartaglia, S., Puri, L., Brugnoli, F., Quintiliani, F., Allegrini, C., Gallitelli, V., Esposito, V., Santis, M. De, & Visconti, D. (2025). Sexual Function After Vaginal Delivery in Primiparous Women : A Perspective in the First Months Postpartum. Heealthcare, 1–11.
The Joanna Briggs Institute. (2022). The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual 2017: Methodology for JBI scoping reviews. Joanne Briggs Institute.
WHO. (2018). Intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience. WHO.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2016). Standards for improving quality of maternal and newborn care in health facilities. WHO.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36780/jmcrh.v9i3.12406
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Journal of Maternity Care and Reproductive Health
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
This Journal is indexed on:
Redaksi Journal of Maternity Care and Reproductive Health:
Fakultas Keperawatan, Universitas Padjadjaran
Jalan Raya Bandung-Sumedang Km. 21 Jatinangor, Sumedang, Indonesia 45363
WA: 081321793280
Email: admin@mcrhjournal.or..id
JMCRH is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
http://www.statistics.mcrhjournal.or.id