A Comparative Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Crushed Ice Pack Application and Sitz Bath on Episiotomy Pain and Wound Healing Among Postnatal Mothers

Abstract

An episiotomy is an incision made in the perineum- the tissue between the vaginal opening and the anus during child birth. Pain at the episiotomy site is more distressing for the mother during postnatal period. An ice pack application or warm shallow bath (sitz bath) may increase comfort and promotes healing. The main aim of this present study was to compare the effect of Crushed ice pack application and Sitz bath on episiotomy pain and wound healing among postnatal mothers. A Matched group design was adopted in this study. By using Non probability purposive sampling technique 22 postnatal mothers with episiotomy were selected as samples at Ramakrishna Hospital, Coimbatore and 11mothers were assigned randomly to each group I and group II. Episiotomy pain was assessed by using Numerical Pain Intensity scale and Wound healing was assessed by using Davidson REEDA scale. Group I received crushed ice pack application and Group II received sitz bath. Intervention was given for 10 minutes twice a day for three consecutive days from first postnatal day. Data were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The statistical analysis revealed that the calculated mean scores of episiotomy pain in the group I and group II was1.72 and 2.9 respectively and the mean difference is 1.2 with the standard deviation of group I and group II was 0.64 and 0.53 respectively. The calculated ‘t’ value 11.3 was greater than the table value of 2.086 at 0.05 level of significance. The calculated mean scores of episiotomy wound healing in the group I and group II was 1.54 and 1.81 respectively and the mean difference is 0.27 with the standard deviation of group I and group II was 0.5 and 0.6 respectively. The calculated‘t’ value 2.6 was greater than the table value of 2.086 at 0.05 level of significance. Finally, the study concluded that the crushed ice pack application was more effective than sitz bath in reducing the level of episiotomy pain and promotes wound healing among postnatal mothers.