Effect of Aloe Vera Gel versus Normal Saline on Pain Relief and Healing Process of Episiotomy

Abstract

Introduction: Spontaneous or episiotomy-induced damage to the genital organs during delivery affects the quality of active labor, especially among primiparous women. It is frequently observed during delivery and can have detrimental effects on a mother’s health and quality of life. Aim of the study to determine the effect of Aloe Vera gel versus normal saline on pain relieve and healing process of episiotomy. Materials and method: Design: A comparative quasi-experimental research design was utilized. Subjects: A convenience study subject of (120) women were selected from EL-Shatby Maternity University Hospital. Tools: Four tools were used by the researchers to collect the necessary data: Tool I: basic data structured interview schedule, Tool II: Pain Intensity Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Tool III: Wound Healing REEDA Scale and Tool IV: Bacteriological Wound Study. Results: There was a statistically significant differences between both groups in relation to perineal pain intensity after 10 postnatal days (X² = 7.937, p = 0.005). On the 10^th postpartum day, the entire Aloe Vera group did achieve complete healing of episiotomy wound compared to 80% of the normal saline group. There was a statistically significant difference between both groups (p < 0.0001).Conclusion: it could be concluded that the application of Aloe Vera gel was more effective on wound healing and perineal pain than normal saline among postnatal women with episiotomy. Moreover the growth of the isolated organisms among the episiotomy wound treated with the Aloe Vera gel were less than among those treated with normal saline.

Keywords: postpartum, episiotomy, Aloe Vera Gel and normal Saline

DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/70-09

Publication date: January 31^st 2020