The effect of lavender in care of postpartum episiotomy wounds

Episiotomy is a perineal incision which is the commonest surgical incision in midwifery field. This wound like others need to be cared. Nowadays, using alternative and complementary methods like essential oils which are named aromatherapy have been established as a deserving stance. Essential oils such as lavender compounded of many substances like terponents, mono terponents and linalool which are antimicrobial and pain killer. It seems this substance is very suitable for washing of wounds. So, this research carried out compare the essential oils of lavender in comparison to povidon iodine in repairing of episiotomy. This studying is randomized control trial which is carried out in 120 women. allocated in Povidon Iodine and lavender essential oil groups. At first lavender essential oil 1.5% (stoeches acae) was prepared by Barij Essence Pharmaceutical Company in distillation method with Olive oil carrier. After Child bearing to the educated women about episiotomy care, was proposed to wash wound in sitzbath by Povidon Iodine in one group and with lavender essential oil in another group. After 5th day incision was assessed. The data were analyzed by SPSS soft ware, t-test and χ2. Data showed that the redness in 5th day reduced significantly (P<0.05). But, rate of edema increased significantly in lavender group (P<0.001). There is not difference between two groups for infection, pain, dehiscence. It seems that lavender essential oil is on appropriate alternative instead of Povidon Iodine, because it reduced redness and it doesn’t increase infection and dehiscence.