The Effect of Apricot Kernel Oil Cream on Post-episiotomy Pain Intensity in Primiparous Women: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 MSc of Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

4 a) Assistant Professor, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran b) Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2024.77483.2299

Abstract

Background & aim: Episiotomy pain in the first days after birth can affect the mother's quality of life, mental health, and interaction with and care of the newborn. According to the evidence, apricot kernel oil, through anti-inflammatory properties and phenolic compounds, could reduce pain. This study was performed to assess the effect of apricot kernel oil cream on post-episiotomy pain intensity in primiparous women.
Methods: This triple-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 70 primiparous women visiting a teaching hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and placebo groups using permuted block randomization. The intervention started 2 hours after episiotomy repair by applying two cm of cream (medication or placebo) on the episiotomy site and was repeated every 12 hours for 10 days. Pain intensity was assssed by McGill's questionnaire before intervention, in the first 24 hours after delivery, on the fifth day, and on the 10th day after delivery. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 21) using Chi-square, Fisher exact test, t-test, and Mann-Whitney.
Results: The mean total pain score had no significant difference between the two groups  on the first day following intervention (P=0.58). But on the fifth (P=0.015) and 10th day postintervention (P<0.01), there was a significant difference  between the two groups, i. e. the mean total pain score in the intervention group was 12.24±3.56 and 5.17±2.01 and in the placebo group was 15.57±5.76, and 8.47±3.91, respectively.
Conclusion: Based on the results, apricot kernel oil could be suggested as an topical complementary medication for episiotomy wound pain relief. Larger studies recommended to measure drug’s efficacy and safety before its routine prescription.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 5365-5375

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