A comparative study to assess the effectiveness of povidone-iodine Sitzbath versus lavender oil Sitzbath on episiotomy pain and wound healing among postnatal mothers undergone normal vaginal delivery in CIMS Hospital Bilaspur Chhattisgarh

Worldwide, perineal discomfort is the most common problems encountered postnatally occurring in 42% of women undergoing vaginal birth. Perineal pain is worsening following instrumental delivery, episiotomy, spontaneous tears. Episiotomy may be a major risk factor for infection, blood loss, decrease of sexual pleasure, delayed healing, fistula, incontinence of urine, feces and flatus. Many comfort measures have been recommended to reduce perineal pain and improve episiotomy wound healing. The use of essential oils and povidone iodine solution are among the earliest methods adopted for episiotomy wound healing and pain relief. Lavender oil is traditionally believed to have sedative, anti-depressive and anti-inflammatory properties, in addition to its recognized antimicrobial effects.