REPLAY: EBB 218 – The Evidence on Perineal Massage during Labor with Dr. Rebecca Dekker
Description
Can perineal massage during the pushing phase of labor really prevent tears? In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Dekker takes a close look at the research to uncover whether this technique truly helps reduce perineal trauma during childbirth.
She explains how health care staff provide perineal massage during labor, breaks down findings findings from key studies and meta-analyses, and examines how biases and variations in clinical practice shape the evidence. Dr. Dekker also explores why results from settings with high episiotomy rates may not apply everywhere and why skilled, supportive care and informed consent often play a bigger role in protecting the perineum than any single technique.
Content Warning: Discussion of perineal tears during childbirth, severe tears, obstetric violence, and episiotomy.
- For a full list of resources, visit: ebbirth.com/218
- Watch the video version here on our YouTube channel which includes study breakdowns and PowerPoint slides.
- Protecting the Perineum Series:
United States
