title: [Cryotherapy after childbirth: the length of application and changes in perineal temperature].
abstract: We present a descriptive study based on the data from two clinical trials conducted at a maternity hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2008 and 2009. This study aimed to describe perineal temperature after the application of an ice pack during the postpartum period. Three groups of 38 postpartum women (n=114 total) received an ice pack between 2 and 48 h after delivery. The results showed that after 10 minutes of cryotherapy, the mean perineal temperature varied between 13.3 degreeCand 15.3 degree"C, with a small reduction at the end of the 15- and 20-minute applications (2.4 degreeC and 2.7"C, respectively). Women who received cryotherapy for 10 minutes reported a cool sensation and pain relief; after a session of 15 or 20 minutes, the women reported anesthesia and numbness. In conclusion, an ice pack applied for 10 minutes reduced the perineal temperature to the recommended levels for analgesia (10-15 degreeC).
authors.affiliation: Enfermeira Obstétrica. Doutoranda do Programa de Pós-Gradução em Enfermagem da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo. Bolsista CNPq. São Paulo, SP, Brasil. adrianaaf@usp.br
authors.forename: Adriana Amorim
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Francisco
authors.affiliation: Enfermeira Obstétrica. Professora Associada do Departamento de Enfermagem Matemo-infantil e Psiquiátrica da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Sonia Maria Junqueira Vasconcellos
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Enfermeira Obstétrica. Professora Departamento Matemo-lnfantil da Faculdade de Enfermagem do Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Lucila Coca
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Leventhal
authors.affiliation: Enfermeira Neonatologista. Mestranda do Programa de Pós-Graduaçã em Enfermagem da Escola de Enfermagem da Universidade de São Paulo, Bolsista CAPES. São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: Caroline Souza
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: de Bosco
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods*; D001831:Body Temperature; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods*; D010502:Perineum; D049590:Postpartum Period; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult