The Effect of Raspberry Ointment on Episiotomy Wound Healing and Pain Relief in Primiparous Women: A Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background & aim: Episiotomy is linked to increased perineal pain and wound healing problems during postpartum. Rising drug resistance is driving a growing trend toward herbal remedies as a possible substitute for wound healing and pain management. This study explored the effect of raspberry ointment on episiotomy wound healing and pain relief in primiparous women. Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial included ۶۶ primiparous women giving birth in one public teaching hospital in Shushtar, Southwest Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group, which received a placebo, or an intervention group, applying raspberry ointment topically to their episiotomy wounds twice daily for two weeks. Wound healing was assessed with the REEDA (Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation) scale and pain severity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), both pre-intervention and on days ۷, ۱۰, and ۱۴ post-delivery. Statistical analysis was done using independent t-test, Friedman test, GEE, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square in SPSS version ۲۲. Results: The results of REEDA were significantly different in the two groups on the ۷th, ۱۰th, and ۱۴th days (P= ۰.۰۰۳, P < ۰.۰۰۱, P < ۰.۰۰۱). Also, there was a  significant difference between the two study groups in terms of their VAS score on the ۱۰th and ۱۴th days (P <۰.۰۰۴, P = ۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: Raspberry ointment could accelerate the episiotomy wound healing process and alleviate associated pain.

کلیدواژه ها:

Episiotomy ، Pain ، Wound healing ، Raspberry ، Primiparous