title: Perineal analgesia with an ice pack after spontaneous vaginal birth: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated the effectiveness of an ice pack applied for 20 minutes to alleviate perineal pain after spontaneous vaginal birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized controlled trial at the Amparo Maternal Birth Center in São Paulo, Brazil. Study participants included 114 nulliparous women divided into 3 groups (n = 38 per group): experimental (ice packs on the perineum), placebo (water packs at set temperature), and control (no treatment).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A numerical scale (0 to 10) was used for pain assessment. A comparison of the average pain at the beginning and after 20 minutes showed a significant reduction of pain (P < .001) in the 3 groups, and the experimental group had a lower average score for pain compared with the control group (1.6 versus 3.3, P = .032).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of ice packs for 20 minutes was effective for perineal pain relief after vaginal birth.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing in Albert Einstein Hospital, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucila Coca
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Leventhal
authors.forename: Sonia Maria Junqueira Vasconcellos
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Moacyr Roberto Cuce
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nobre
authors.forename: Flora Maria Barbosa
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016362:Analgesia, Obstetrical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010502:Perineum; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007053:Ice