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Comparison of Infra Red Light Therapy vs Sitz Bath on Episiotomy in Terms of

Wound Healing and Intensity of Pain among Postnatal Mothers

Article in International Journal of Nursing Care · January 2014

DOI: 10.5958/j.2320-8651.2.1.008

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 DOI Number: 10.5958/j.2320-8651.2.1.008
International Journal of Nursing Care. January-June, 2014, Vol.2, No. 1 37

Comparison of Infra Red Light Therapy vs Sitz Bath on

Episiotomy in Terms of Wound Healing and Intensity of
Pain among Postnatal Mothers

Sukhwinder Kaur1, Poonam Sheoran2, Sulakshna Chand3, Jodibala Haobijam4

1
Staff Nurse, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sec 32, Chandigarh, 2Principal, 3Assistant Professor,
MM Institute of Nursing, Mullana, Ambala, Haryana, India, 4Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, NEIGHIRMS,
Shillong, Meghalaya, India

ABSTRACT

Childbearing is a unique personal experience which is in most circumstances a normal yet critical life
event, rather than a disease process. The joy and ecstasy of motherhood cannot be described in words.
Unfortunately this blessing is fraught with danger especially for woman more so in under-developed
countries due to inadequate health care facilities. Episiotomy has been routinely used surgical procedure
to facilitate delivery. The mother undergoing episiotomy is at risk of greater blood loss in conjunction
with delivery, improper wound healing and increased pain during early puerperium. Various
interventions have been found to aid the episiotomy healing process which includes cleanliness,
applying ice pack, topical application by dry heat, sitz bath, and Kegels' exercises. The present study
compares the effectiveness of infrared light therapy vs. sitz bath therapy on episiotomy in terms of
wound healing and intensity of pain among postnatal mothers. The study was conducted in postnatal
wards of a multi speciality hospital. Using purposive sampling, 60 postnatal mothers with episiotomy
were selected. Of these, 30 mothers were treated with infrared light and remaining thirty postnatal
mothers were treated with sitz bath. Data was collected using REEDA Scale and Numerical Rating
Scale. Findings revealed that both infrared light therapy and sitz bath were effective in enhancing
episiotomy wound healing, however, sitz bath was significantly more effective in promoting episiotomy
wound healing as compared to infrared light. Infrared light and sitz bath were both effective in terms of
reducing intensity of episiotomy pain. Findings revealed no significant association of episiotomy
wound healing of the postnatal mothers treated with infrared light therapy and sitz bath with selected
variables. However, there was significant association of type of antibiotic taken by postnatal mothers
with intensity of episiotomy pain.

Keywords: Postnatal Mothers, Episiotomy, Infra Red Light Therapy, Sitz Bath, Wound Healing, Intensity Of
Pain

INTRODUCTION disagreement about necessity and benefits of this

The labor process is an exciting and anxious
moment in every woman’s life. However, considerable
perineal trauma and discomfort can be caused to mother
as a result of child birth. Perineal trauma affects the
physical, mental, and social wellbeing of the woman
resulting in postpartum pain and discomfort, infection,
wound breakdown, urinary and faecal incontinence.
Severity of perineal discomfort is often under estimated
and many mothers suffer in silence.
Episiotomy is one of the most common procedures
performed during delivery, yet, there is extensive
procedure1. Used widely, episiotomy is advocated to
have several advantages such as prevention of
lacerations, better healing, easier to repair than a ragged
tear, allows for easier and safer regression of the foetal
head, shortens the second stage of labor and it may
prevent painful hemorrhoids.
The rate of episiotomy rates vary widely worldwide.
Studies reveal that episiotomy rates vary from 8% in
the Netherlands, 13% in England to 25% in the USA. In
developing countries, episiotomy rates are still high as
restrictive use of episiotomy has not been widely
embraced in primigravidas2.

8. Poonam Sheoran--37--41.pmd 37 3/26/2014, 4:58 PM

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