Pharmacological and non pharmacological treatment for relief of perineal pain after vaginal delivery

Objective: To identify the types of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments used during hospitalization, in the relief of perineal pain after vaginal deliveries. Methods: Data were obtained from medical files of patients who had vaginal deliveries during 2007. Rresults: The mean age of mothers was 32.4 years, and 97.7% of them suffered perineal trauma. As to treatment for relief of perineal pain after a vaginal delivery, 98.5% used drugs, the most frequent of which were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and 62.3% of them also used non-drug treatments, especially ice packs. Cconclusion: It is important that healthcare professionals, who attend to new puerperas, know how to assess and treat perineal pain. Considering the high rates of perineal trauma following vaginal deliveries, we need to offer patients treatment alternatives for perineal pain, based on scientific evidence.