Early verse conventional ambulation on postoperative pain among women with lower segment cesarean section

Abstract

Introduction: A cesarean section is a surgical procedure by which one or more babies are delivered through an incision made on a mother's abdomen and uterus. In post cesarean section phase, early ambulation and oral intake are need to be encouraged after declined effects of anesthesia. The present study was conducted with aim to assess the effectiveness of early ambulation on postoperative pain among the women with a lower segment cesarean section. Materials and Methods: The study design was quasi-experimental design and 60 subjects were enrolled by convenient sampling technique. In experimental group, the pain level was assessed after performing breathing exercise, moving legs and hands, upright sitting position, stand and walk with and without support after 10 h of surgery for first 3 postoperative days. While in control group, the mothers were ambulated after 24 h of surgery as per the hospital protocol. Results: There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the mean postoperative pain scores after early ambulation among experimental on day 1st, day 2nd, and day 3rd. There was a significant decline in pain scores in experimental group compared to control group (P < 0.001) with days progresses. Conclusion: The early ambulation was significantly effective in reduce postoperative pain scores among the mothers after cesarean section. The present approach may be adopted for the mothers to decline the need of analgesics during postoperative period.