Perineal hygiene is a procedure employed to clean the vulva, the perineum and the

anal region are means of preventing infection. Promoting healing of the perineum and
making mothers to comfortable. Careful hygiene is important; the mother should
encouraged to ensure a clean wound and relief of discomfort. Care should be taken to
dry the perineum after bathing. Mothers should be encouraged to walk about as they feel
able.1

Perineal hygiene should be directed to the prevention of infection and promotion

of healing. Lack of perineal hygiene leads infection during postnatal period like
puerperral pyrexia and septic. In some cases of infection by haemolytic streptococci,
localized infection occurs as a result of ascending spread of infection from the perineum,
vagina or cervix to the uterine cavity. From there it may spread to fallopian tubes
causing salpingitis. To overcome this infection perineal hygiene is important in order to
prevent this complication.12

Puerperal infection after birth is common among postnatal mothers. Keeping the
perineum clean will increase comfort and lower the risk of infection. Infection in
postnatal period is 20% to 40% have been reported maternal morbidity.4

In developing countries, it is estimated that ¼ million women die each year

during the ante-partum, partum, and postpartum periods, 61% of these deaths occur
during the postpartum period.