A Comparative Case Report: Supplementation of Emollients Alone Versus Emollients Combined with Warm Perineal Compression to Reduce the Risk of Perineal Tears in Primiparous Women

Abstract Background Perineal tears affect, on average, 80% of women who undergo vaginal delivery, with primiparous women being more commonly affected than multiparous women. Third- and fourth-degree tears result in obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASISs), which constitute the largest obstetric risk factor for the development of anal incontinence. As a result, several interventions have been suggested to reduce the risk of perineal tears during labor. Case Summary This case report presents and compares two primigravid women who underwent different interventions during childbirth. One patient was treated solely with emollients, specifically glycerin, whereas the other received a combination of emollients and warm compresses. The primary aim was to evaluate the effect of each intervention on perineal integrity. The outcomes of perineal tears in both patients were assessed, along with the observed effects of the interventions. This report discusses the potential benefits of combining warm compresses with emollients during the second stage of labor to reduce the risk of perineal trauma. These findings suggest that the addition of warm compresses to emollient applications may help improve perineal outcomes, providing a practical strategy for reducing perineal tears in vaginal deliveries. Conclusion The findings from this case report support the use of a combination of warm compresses and emollients during the second stage of labor as an effective strategy for reducing perineal trauma, and indicate that this combination is superior to the use of glycerine alone.