The Effect of Thai Herbal Recipes “Ya Nab Uthorn” among Postpartum Waist Circumference Reduction: a Quasi–experimental Research

Abstract

In postpartum, physiological changes in women usually return to pre-pregnancy, particularly, fundal height and abdominal wall. The Mahachotirat scripture also contains “Ya neung thong hai yub” which has properties to support these changes. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of Ya Nab Uthorn in postpartum. The study was conduect as a quasi–experimental research. Sixty nulliparous women who delivered vaginally were randomly assigned to control group and experimental group, 30 in each group. The women in experimental group received Ya Nab Uthorn to be applied on abdomen using belly bandage for 45 minutes, twice a day from postpartum day 4 to day 7; and both groups received standard of postpartum care. Waist circumference (cm) and fundal height were measured on day 0 and day 8. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistic and paired t–test to compare the results at day 0 and day 8. It was found that there was no statistical significance in baseline characteristic between the 2 groups. Both group had significantly decreased waist circumference. In experimental group, waist circumference decreased from 89.7 cm to 77.3 cm (day 0-8, 12.4 cm, p<0.001). In the control group, the waist circumference decreased from 87.4 cm to 80.9 cm (day 0-8, 6.5 cm, p<0.001). The fundal height decreased significantly in both groups: from 14.4 cm. to 1.5 cm. (day 0-8, 12.9 cm, p<0.001) in the experimental group and from 12.6 cm. to 2.4 cm (Day 0-8, 10.2 cm, p<0.001) in the control group. The difference to difference analysis between the 2 groups was 2.7 cm (p<0.001). One woman was foun to have itchy symptom. Thus, Ya Nab Uthorn was effective to decrease waist circumference and fundal height in postpartum and had few side effects.