Application of Honey to Reduce Perineal Laceration Pain during the Postpartum Period: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Perineal lacerations affect between 35 and 85% of women during childbirth and may be responsible for postpartum pain. Honey has been demonstrated to have interesting properties that can promote wound healing. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of honey to the perineum to reduce perineal pain during the early postpartum period. A randomized controlled trial including 68 women was conducted. In the intervention group, honey was applied to perineal lacerations for four days, in addition to standard care. The control group received only standard care. The primary outcome was pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale and pain perception using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (QDSA). The secondary outcomes were a burning sensation, the use of a pain killer, and the women’s satisfaction with the honey application. The intensity of pain was not significantly different between the groups on Day 1 (VAS 3.38 in the control group versus 3.34 in the intervention group, p = 0.65) or on Day 4 (VAS 2.28 versus 1.41, respectively, p = 0.09). There was no significant difference regarding the perception of pain with the QDSA. Despite this, most of the women in the intervention group (93%) were satisfied or very satisfied with the use of honey on their perineum.

The Use of Honey for Cicatrization and Pain Control of Obstetric Wounds: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…As detailed in Figure 1 , our comprehensive search yielded 1453 results, of which 421 were duplicate records, and 1019 articles were deemed unrelated based on title or abstract review and were excluded. The remaining seven articles were carefully selected and, after evaluating inclusion and exclusion criteria, 5 RCTs [ 1 , 14 , 17 , 18 , 19 ] were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The reasons for exclusion of studies were: overlapping studies ( n = 5) and others ( n = 2), comprising a study published in another language and a study with measurements (mean/standard deviation) different from those used in this meta-analysis.…”

“…The moment of childbirth, whether normal or through a surgical procedure, can lead to complications. This highlights the need for effective treatments and proper wound management using cost-effective methods that promote maternal well-being, reduce mortality, improve healing, and control pain [ 1 , 2 ].…”

“…Complications arising from normal delivery, such as various types of perineal tears, as well as those resulting from interventions (episiotomy and caesarean section), are associated with increased physical and mental stress caused mainly by pain, which can affect the development of the mother–newborn bond, especially without proper treatment and management [ 1 , 3 ]. Some classes of medication are routinely used in clinical practice to relieve pain; however, these medications have drawbacks, as they may not only prolong the healing process but also cause undesirable side effects [ 4 ].…”

“…Due to all these properties, honey has been used in various types of wounds, primarily for burns, surgical incisions, infected wounds, chronic ulcers [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], and in postoperative management of cesarean sections [ 8 ]. Since pain and the healing process can interfere with both a proper breastfeeding process and the creation of an early bond with the neonate, proper wound management is extremely important for maternal recovery and early childcare [ 1 , 4 ].…”

Management of postpartum perineal wound complications

“…A randomized controlled trial examined the use of medicinal honey on perineal wounds postpartum and found that there was no significant difference in the intensity or perception of pain between the two groups [16 ▪ ]. However, despite finding no difference in pain, 93% of women in the intervention group reported being satisfied with the use of honey on their perineum.…”