Ice pack induced perineal analgesia after spontaneous vaginal birth: Randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background: Ice-pack is widely used for alleviating postpartum perineal pain sustained after birth related perineal trauma. However, it lacks robust evidence on timing and frequency of applications, to ensure the effective and safe use of this therapy.

Aims: To evaluate if a 10min ice-pack application relieved postpartum perineal pain and if the analgesic effect was maintained for up to 2h.

Methods: A randomised controlled trial conducted from December 2012 to February 2013 with 69 primiparous women ≥18 years old, 6-24h postpartum, with perineal pain ≥3, who had not received anti-inflammatory medication or analgesics after childbirth, who were randomised to a single ice-pack application on the perineum for 10min or standard care. The primary and secondary outcomes were a reduction ≥30% in perineal pain intensity, immediately after the application and the maintenance of the analgesic effect for up to 2h, respectively.

Findings: Immediately post-intervention, the proportion of women whose perineal pain decreased ≥30% was significantly higher in the experimental group. Within 2h, there was no significant difference in the pain levels in both groups. Within 2h, for 61.9% and 89.3% of women in the experimental and control group, respectively, the perineal pain levels remained unchanged. For the remaining participants, perineal pain was increasing after an average time of 1h 45min and 1h 56min for the experimental and control groups, respectively.

Conclusion: By applying an ice-pack for 10min to the perineum, effective pain relief is achieved, that is maintained for between 1h 45min and 2h.

Keywords: Cryotherapy; Perineal pain; Perineal trauma; Perineum; Postpartum period.