The Effect of Perineal Control With Hands-On and Hand-Poised Methods on Perineal Trauma and Delivery Outcome



Foroughipour A^{1, 3} ; Firuzeh F^{1, 3} ; Ghahiri A² ; Norbakhsh V^{1, 3} Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Research in Medical Sciences Published:2011

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the two methods of delivery, hands-onvs. hands poised, on perineal trauma and delivery outcome in primiparous women referred to Shariati Hospital ofIsfahan during 2007-2008.METHODS: In a clinical trial study, 100 low risk primiparous pregnant women were randomly assigned to two hands-onand hand-poised (hands-off) groups. In the hands-on group, this method was used to control fetal head in the secondstage of labor. It means that the fingers of one hand supported fetal occiput and the other hand applied slight pressure onthe head to control the delivery of the head during the crowning process. In the hands-poised group, midwife observedthe parturient woman and do not touch perineum during the second labor stage while fetal head was delivering. Then,the two groups were compared in terms of perineal trauma, as well as neonatal and delivery outcome.RESULTS: Demographic characteristics of all studied women were similar in two groups. The rate of episiotomy washigher in hands-on group (84% vs. 40%, p = 0.001). The rate of postpartum hemorrhage (4th stage) was higher in handsongroup (12% vs. 4%, p = 0.04). The rate of mild and moderate postpartum pain in hands-on group was higher thanhands-off group (70% vs. 58% and 29% vs. 10%, p < 0.001) but sever pain was not different in two groups.CONCLUSIONS: It seems that hands-poised method is associated with less perineal trauma, particularly regarding thelower need for episiotomy and postpartum hemorrhage.