THE EFFECT OF PERİNEUM MASSAGE WİTH OLİVE OİL ON PERİNEUM INTEGRİTY AND DURATİON OF SECOND PERİOD OF DELİVERY

The idea that birth process should be undergone minimal intervention has been spreading. Unlike the abovementioned idea, the fact that episiotomy practice ‐especially on the primiparous pregnant women‐ has almost been a routine in Turkey and it has been practiced ‐even if it is not necessary‐ despite the fact that itprolongs the post‐partum healing and increases perineum trauma risks. Perineal trauma is described as the damage that occurs spontaneously or due to a surgical incision or episiotomy during the labor in the genital region. Perineal trauma that may occur during labor may pose a critical risk both for mother's health and her quality of life. Perineal trauma is accompanied with short term or long term morbidity during and after birth and affects sexuality and physical image of the women negatively. Some of these effects are painful sexual intercourse, fecal and urinary incontinence and continuous perineal pain. Perineal massage performed by using an oily substance that has lubricant properties is described as the massage made on the muscles around the vagina and its tissues. The massage,which is thought to haveimportant effects onelasticity of the tissues and muscles and the rehabilitation is thought to provide benefits for vaginal births due to the similar useful effects on the tissues and muscles around the perineal. Perineal massage with lubricant is a poten‐tial therapeutic approach implemented at the second stage of delivery. Background Perineal tissues should be pulled aside to allow the neonate exit from the vagina.Studies regarding the perineal pulling and massaging in the second stage of labor for relaxing the perineum and possibly preventing perineal laceration and episiotomy, have concluded that the perineal pulling and massaging increase possibility of childbirth with an intact perineum. Perineal massage increases elasticity and blood supply to the perineum and leads to easier pulling and less pain during childbirth. It also reduces the possibility of perineal laceration, the need to episiotomy, and postpartum perineal pain. Aims: The aim of the present research was to determine the effects of massage performed by using olive oil on travail duration, episiotomy requirement and perineal tears for the term pregnancies during second stage of the labor. COLLOUT: Perineal trauma that may occur during labor may pose a critical risk both for mother's health and her quality of life.