title: Review of interventions to relieve postpartum pain from perineal trauma.
abstract: As an increased risk for infection and potentially significant source of pain, perineal trauma can negatively impact a mother's postpartum recovery. A variety of nursing interventions aimed at relieving perineal pain are largely based on localized cooling. Unfortunately, these interventions may not follow best practice for providing adequate pain relief or preventing perineal postpartum infection. This article provides a review of the literature related to utilizing localized cooling for postpartum perineal pain relief, suggests clinical guidelines for safe implementation of these measures, and calls for further research for evidence of nursing interventions to relieve pain caused by perineal trauma.
authors.affiliation: MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup, WA, USA. melanie.robin@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Melanie Robin
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Petersen
mesh_terms: D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D004841:Episiotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010502:Perineum / Q000293:injuries*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy