“Effectiveness of fresh aloe vera gel application on pain and episiotomy wound healing among post-natal mothers”

Pain following episiotomy appears to be universal. The mother undergoing episiotomy has improper wound healing and increased pain during early puerperium. Aloe verahas been used for many centuries for its curative and therapeutic properties.Several mechanisms have been proposed for the wound healing effects of aloe vera gel, which include keeping the wound moist, increase epithelial cell migration, more rapid maturation of collagen and reduction in inflammation. A Quantitative research approach,true experimental design was adopted. The studywas conducted at post-natal ward at Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chennai. 60 mothers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by non-probability purposive sampling technique. In control group-level the wound status was assessed by REEDA scale and level of pain was assessed by universal pain scale and treated with routine care. In experimental group- level of wound status and level of pain were assessed by the same scale followed by application of fresh aloe vera gel over the episiotomy wound twice a day at the interval of 8 hours for three days. The post intervention levels of wound status and pain scale were assessed.

The study results showed that application of aloe vera gel had reduced pain perception among postnatal mothers with episiotomy. There was a highly significant reduction in pain perception in experimental group at the level of P=0.001¹ than in control group. Thus, there was a significant difference in episiotomy pain perception among postnatal mothers in the experimental group than in the control group. The computed ‘t’ value of wound healing (20.888) and pain (27.109) is greater than table value 2.05 (t29=2.05, P<0.05). Hence aloe vera gel is effective in wound healing and pain.