Saint Hyacinthe

This clinical trial focuses on women who have just given birth vaginally and experience perineal or vulvar pain rated 3 out of 10 or higher. Researchers aim to find out if compresses soaked in a 25% magnesium sulfate Epsom salt solution can reduce this pain compared to placebo compresses soaked in water. The study is a randomized, double-blinded trial conducted in multiple hospitals in Quebec, Canada, involving 104 participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups one receiving compresses soaked in the magnesium sulfate solution and the other receiving compresses soaked in sterile water as a placebo. They will use the compresses on the vulva and perineum for 15 minutes up to four times a day during their hospital stay, typically lasting 24 to 48 hours. Treatment usage and pain levels before and after application will be recorded in a diary. During the study, participants will keep a diary to track their pain scores, use of other pain medications, and any side effects or complications. Researchers will also assess participant satisfaction and the feasibility of using these compresses for postpartum care. The main outcome measured is the reduction of pain on a visual and numerical scale after each compress application. The study will monitor all results during the hospital stay of about one to two days.