Comparison of Finnish and Viennese Techniques for Perineal Protection in Women During the Second Stage of Labor

NCT07537842 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: U1111-1338-9045
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to find out which method of protecting the perineum during childbirth works better in reducing tears in first-time mothers. The study will compare two commonly used techniques-Finnish and Viennese manual perineal protection-during the second stage of labor. It will also assess whether these techniques are safe and practical to use. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Be enrolled when they are in active labor and planning a normal vaginal delivery
• Be randomly assigned to one of the two perineal protection techniques
• Have their labor monitored, including the duration of different stages of labor
• Undergo a clinical examination after delivery to check for any perineal tears A trained obstetrician who is not aware of which technique was used will examine the mother after delivery to ensure unbiased assessment. Any tears identified will be treated according to standard hospital guidelines. By comparing these two techniques, this study aims to identify the safer and more effective method to reduce perineal injury during childbirth, which may help improve maternal outcomes and quality of care.

Conditions

Vaginal Delivery; Perineal Tear Resulting From Childbirth

Keywords

1st stage of labor; 2nd stage of labor; Perineal tear; Viennese manual perineal protection (VMPP); Finnish manual perineal protection (FMPP)

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Perineal Tear

  Perineal tear will be assessed by clinical examination after delivery. It is defined as any laceration involving the perineal skin, vaginal mucosa, perineal muscles, anal sphincter, or rectal mucosa. The presence or absence of a tear will be recorded.

  Immediately after delivery (within the third stage of labor)

Other Outcomes (2)

• Duration of First Stage of Labor

  During labor (from onset of active labor to full cervical dilation)

• Duration of Second Stage of Labor

  During labor (from full dilation to delivery)

Study Arms (2)

Finnish Manual Perineal Protection

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this group will receive manual perineal protection using the Finnish technique during the second stage of labor.

Procedure: Finnish Manual Perineal Protection Technique

Viennese Manual Perineal Protection

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive manual perineal protection using the Viennese technique during the second stage of labor.

Procedure: Viennese Manual Perineal Protection

Interventions

Finnish Manual Perineal Protection Technique PROCEDURE

This involves applying pressure with the flexed middle, ring, and little fingers to support the perineum and control delivery of the fetal head. This would reduce perineal stretching and tearing during delivery.

Finnish Manual Perineal Protection

Viennese Manual Perineal Protection PROCEDURE

This technique includes applying ventral pressure with the ulnar part of the palm while supporting the perineum and controlling fetal head extension at crowning.

Viennese Manual Perineal Protection

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Full-term (37 - 42 weeks, assessed through LMP)
• Singleton pregnancy (assessed on antenatal scan)
• Primigravida
• In active labor

You may not qualify if:

• Fetal presentation other than cephalic (confirmed on USG)
• Patients converted to cesarean delivery

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Nishtar Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Nishtar Medical University

Multan, Punjab Province, 60000, Pakistan

Location

Study Officials

• Syeda A Professor, FCPS

  Nishtar Medical University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 12, 2026
• First Posted: April 17, 2026
• Study Start: August 28, 2025
• Primary Completion: March 2, 2026
• Study Completion: March 2, 2026
• Last Updated: April 17, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)