Perineal pain after natural childbirth with episiotomy: the measurement, characterization and effects of cryotherapy.

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This study had the purpose to: assess the effect of cryotherapy in providing pain relief of the perinal region of primiparae submitted to natural childbirth with episiotomy using a one-dimensional pain instrument; characterize perineal pain using a multidimensional pain assessment tool, verify what activities performed by the puerperae in the maternity were limited due to the presence of pain; verify the effect of cryotherapy in relieving pain immediately after it application, and one hour later; verify the temperature of the perineal region before, during, and after cryotherapy, and the correlation with the intensity of pain, verify the possible adverse effects caused by cryotherapy; and verify the puerperae’s opinion about the treatment. This is a controlled and random clinical trial carried out in a maternity in the interior of Sao Paulo state. Fifty primiparae with perineal pain after vaginal delivery with episiotomy were randomly selected and 26 were assigned to the control group and 24 to the experimental group. A form was used to collect socio-demographic data, as well as information about care during the delivery and regarding the newborn; an 11-point numerical scale and descriptors from the McGill questionnaire were used to assess the pain. In addition, a form was used to assess the functional activities performed by the puerperae that were limited due to the pain. Finally, a questionnaire was applied to obtain the women’s opinion about the therapy. The cryotherapy technique used consisted of a plastic bag in the shape of an absorbent pad, containing ground ice, which was applied for 20 minutes. Three assessments were performed in both groups: an initial assessment, in which the women were asked about the intensity of the pain using the numerical scale and by administering the McGill questionnaire. The second assessment was performed 20 minutes after the first, and in the experimental group it was performed after the cryotherapy. It was verified there was pain relief in the experimental group compared to control in the second and third assessment (p=0.000). On the other hand, the women reported feeling pain again in the third assessment. The puerperae from both groups had limited functions when sitting, laying down, and walking. The puerperae characterized the perineal pain as pulsing, pulling, hot, stinging, hurting, annoying, troublesome, tight and tense. The average perineal temperature before cryotherapy was 34.5 degrees C, dropping to 23.4 degrees C after the technique. One hour after the treatment, the average lowered to 33.7 degrees C. There was a positive correlation between the intensity of pain and the changes in perineal temperature. As for the women’s satisfaction toward the cryotherapy, 87.5% reported being satisfied with the resource and 12.5% reported being much satisfied. Cryotherapy was effective in relieving perineal pain, however further studies are needed in order to elucidate issues like time of symptom relief, interval time between applications, and the effects over other signs and symptoms of the inflammatory process.