Qualitative and quantitative studies have determined the
association of perineal stretch before birth with severe pain
(Niven & Gijsbers 1984, Lowe & Robers 1998, Salmon
1999, Anderson 2000). Lowe and Roberts determined the
second phase of labour as the most painful stage. The mean
pain severity was 3311 135 in their study (Lowe &
Robers 1998). Additionally, Niven and Gijsbers reported
the mean pain severity of the second phase as 304 based
on the McGill Pain Questionnaire (Niven & Gijsbers
1984). Current study showed significant decrease in degree
of pain in this phase in cold therapy group versus control.
While pain significantly increased during the second phase
in the control group, it did not differed from other stages
in the cold therapy group and was even milder than in the
initiation of active phase.
Various mechanisms are thought to be involved in the