Digital Perineal Massage and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise During Pregnancy for Prevention of Perineal Laceration

Digital Perineal Massage and Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercise as an Antenatal Program for Prevention of Perineal Trauma in Elderly Women, a Randomized Controlled Trial

Pregnant participants will be recruited at the obstetrics outpatient clinic during their visits 4 weeks before the due date. They are randomized into two groups. The first group will be educated to do digital perineal massage. They will be also educated to do pelvic floor muscle exercises and will receive the usual education program for strengthening the pelvic floor. The second group will receive the usual education program for strengthening the pelvic floor. Occurrence of perineal laceration will be reported at time of delivery.

Pregnant participants will be recruited at the obstetrics outpatient clinic during their visits 4 weeks before the due date. They are randomized into two groups. The first group will be educated to do digital perineal massage. They will be also educated to do pelvic floor muscle exercises and will receive the usual educational pelvic floor dysfunction prevention program for strengthening the pelvic floor. The second group will receive the usual education program for strengthening the pelvic floor. Occurrence of perineal laceration will be reported at time of delivery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant women ≥ 35 years old
• Primigravida or multi gravida

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of chronic constipation
• History of chronic cough
• Current or past urinary or anal incontinence
• History of genital prolapse before pregnancy
• History of neuromuscular disorders or connective tissue disorders
• History of medical disorders
• History of preterm or precipitate labour
• History of premature preterm rupture of membranes.
• Genital infections