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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2009 Oct;49(5):478-83.
doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828X.2009.01044.x.

Prospective randomised multicentre trial with the birth trainer EPI-NO for the prevention of perineal trauma

Eugen Ruckhäberle  1 , Katharina Jundt, Martin Bäuerle, Karl-Heinz Brisch, Kurt Ulm, Christian Dannecker, Karl Theo Mario Schneider
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Prospective randomised multicentre trial with the birth trainer EPI-NO for the prevention of perineal trauma

Eugen Ruckhäberle et al. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009 Oct.

Abstract

Background: In several non-randomised trials training with EPI-NO increased the rate of intact perineum and decreased episiotomy rates, shortened the second stage of labour and lowered use of pain killers.

Aims: To verify the preliminary results with EPI-NO in a prospective randomised trial.

Methods: Randomised, single-blind multicentre trial in four university hospitals in Germany including 276 primigravidae.

Results: After training with EPI-NO we observed a significant increase in the incidence of intact perineum (37.4% vs 25.7%; P = 0.05) and a tendency towards lower episiotomy rates (41.9% vs 50.5%; P = 0.11). We found no significant differences between the two groups regarding incidence of perineal tears, duration of second stage of labour, use of pain relief and rate of vaginal infection.

Conclusions: Training with EPI-NO increases significantly the likelihood of having an intact perineum and reduces the episiotomy rate.

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