Comparison of Infra Red Light Therapy Vs Sitz Bath on Episiotomy in Terms of Wound Healing and Intensity of Pain among Postnatal Mothers

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.