A Quasi experimental study to compare the effects of cool gel packs versus analgesics on post-episiotomy pain reduction in selected hospital Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Introduction-Pain after episiotomy has reported as the common cause of maternal morbidities in postnatal period. Studies have shown that cold therapy is effective in reducing post episiotomy pain.So the study aimed to compare the effect of cool gel packs versus analgesics on post episiotomy pain reduction in order to improve nursing care practices and to provide maximum comfort to postpartum women. 

Method-The research design was quasi experimental and was conducted from Dec. 2023 in obstetrics department of Indra Ghandi medical collage &  Hospital Kamala Nehru State Hospital Mother &Child Shimla on 60 subjects (30 for experimental and 30 for control group) of Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Intervention in experimental group was application of cool gel packs and in control group was administration of analgesic (as per hospital routine). The socio- Demographic sheet which was structured interview schedule was filled by investigator. Level of pain of postpartum women after normal delivery with episiotomy is assessed by using subjective and objective tool. Pre-intervention and post-intervention assessment (at 0, 30 and 60 min) was done for both the groups.  

Results -The results of the study revealed that most of study subjects experienced mild to moderate level of post-episiotomy pain. Cool gel packs help in reduction of post-episiotomy pain in experimental group at 0, 30 and 60 min. With NRS, Cool gel packs were more effective in reducing post-episiotomy pain at 0 min and 30 min of time in experimental group as compared to analgesics in control group but at 60 min of time both analgesics and cool gel packs were equally effective. With BPS, Cool gel packs were more effective in reducing post-episiotomy pain at 0 min, 30 min and at 60 min. No association of post-episiotomy pain with age, parity, duration of 2^nd stage of labour, sex of the child was found in the study.

Conclusion- Hence it can be concluded that Cool gel packs are more effective in reducing post episiotomy pain in comparison to analgesics up to 30 min.