Perineal trauma during vaginal delivery is very common, especially in countries with a high prevalence of episiotomy. Perineal traumas can range from tears limited to the skin, subcutaneous and vaginal mucosa to severe tears involving the anal sphincter and rectal mucosa. Perineal trauma is associated with short-term morbidities such as bleeding, infection, pain, edema. Besides, it may cause long-term morbidities such as urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, dyspareunia, a decrease in quality of life, a need for surgery, and psychosocial problems. Moreover, it is associated with an increase in national healthcare costs and malpractice cases. For these reasons, some measures to reduce the frequency of perineal trauma have been discussed for many years. Pushing techniques applied in the second stage of labor and manual perineum protection techniques applied during fetal expulsion are among these. Current data are insufficient to make definitive recommendations. In this study, it was aimed to compare different pushing and perineal protection techniques in the second stage of labor.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Nulliparity
• 37-40 weeks of gestation
• Singleton pregnancy
• Vertex presentation
• Risk-free pregnancy
• Estimated fetal weight 2500-4000 g
• In the first stage of birth
• Amniotic membranes are intact
• Adequate knowledge of written and spoken Turkish

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cesarean delivery need
• Need for labor induction
• Need for operative delivery (vacuum, forceps)
• Need for obstetric analgesia
• Kristaller maneuver
• Perineal preparation during pregnancy (perineal massage in the last month of pregnancy, etc.)
• Vulvo-vaginal infection
• Vulvar severe varicose veins
• Postpartum atony
• Non-compliance with research follow-up criteria
• Covid-19 positivity
• Non-compliance with the procedure of the group involved
• Neuropsychiatric and other diseases that cause understanding, speech, and expression disorders

Nulliparous pregnant women in the first stage of labor will be included in the study.