The Effect of Raspberry Ointment on Episiotomy Wound Healing and Pain Relief in Primiparous Women: A Double-blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Document Type : Original Research Article

Authors

1 MSc of Midwifery, Department of Midwifery, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

3 MSc of Biostatistics, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran

4 Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Lecturer, Department of Midwifery, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran

10.22038/jmrh.2024.79493.2378

Abstract

Background & aim: Episiotomy is linked to increased perineal pain and wound healing problems during postpartum. Rising drug resistance is driving a growing trend toward herbal remedies as a possible substitute for wound healing and pain management. This study explored the effect of raspberry ointment on episiotomy wound healing and pain relief in primiparous women.
Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial included 66 primiparous women giving birth in one public teaching hospital in Shushtar, Southwest Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to either a control group, which received a placebo, or an intervention group, applying raspberry ointment topically to their episiotomy wounds twice daily for two weeks. Wound healing was assessed with the REEDA (Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge, Approximation) scale and pain severity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), both pre-intervention and on days 7, 10, and 14 post-delivery. Statistical analysis was done using independent t-test, Friedman test, GEE, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square in SPSS version 22.
Results: The results of REEDA were significantly different in the two groups on the 7th, 10th, and 14th days (P= 0.003, P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Also, there was a  significant difference between the two study groups in terms of their VAS score on the 10th and 14th days (P <0.004, P = 0.001).
Conclusion: Raspberry ointment could accelerate the episiotomy wound healing process and alleviate associated pain.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health
Volume 14, Issue 2
April 2026
Pages 5321-5331

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