LACERATION DURING PREGNANCY: AN INTEGRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This article addresses the role of physiotherapy in preventing perineal lacerations during labor, considering the possible physical and emotional complications resulting from these injuries. The main objective is to analyze the main methods and interventions that physiotherapy can offer for the prevention of perineal lacerations during and after childbirth, including techniques such as perineal massage, pelvic floor strengthening exercises, and the use of vaginal dilators. This research was conducted based on an integrative literature review, using databases such as Capes Journals, SciELO, and PubMed, analyzing studies published between 2018 and 2025. The results indicate that physiotherapy techniques, applied during pregnancy and labor, significantly reduce the occurrence of lacerations, provide muscle flexibility in the perineal region, and contribute to a faster and less traumatic recovery. Thus, physiotherapy contributes to the prevention of perineal lacerations through the application of scientifically supported techniques, constituting an effective and non-invasive intervention that promotes significant benefits to women's health during pregnancy and labor.