Quality of Life in Women after Vaginal Delivery and Cesarean Section in Armenia

Abstract

Background: The postpartum period is attended by numerous variations in women's health and quality of life. These alterations can affect the health of mothers and children. Considering the importance of postnatal quality of life and its different contributing factors, this study aimed to compare women’s quality of life after vaginal delivery and cesarean section. Aim: This study was aimed to assess the relationship between mode of birth and quality of life for women's health during the postpartum period. Methods: The study was conducted at the Erebouni medical center of Armenia. The participants’ quality of life was examined, using Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, evaluating three periods of time including 3, 6 and 12 months after delivery (either vaginal or cesarean delivery). Data were analyzed using t-test. Questions were about pain intensity, frequency, and location, as well as medical treatment and impact on daily living. Study design: A descriptive study design was used in the current study. Study sample: A total of 100 women attended the outpatient clinic using a purposive sample. Data collection Tools: The data have been collected a structured interview questionnaire and a SF-36 form in order to assess the women`s life quality used a purposive sample method. The study carried out from May 2020 to June 2021. Results: The mean age of women was 26.3 ± 2.2 years and 26.3 ± 7.51 years of the caesarean and vaginal birth group, respectively. Quality of life was significantly higher in women with vaginal delivery, compared to women with cesarean section in all periods including three months (93.7 ± 11.2 vs. 50.4 ± 12.7), six months (94.2 ± 14.5 vs. 65.1 ± 12.3), and one year (106.9 ± 10.5 vs. 63.9 ± 9.6) after delivery. Conclusion & Recommendation: According to the study results, the vaginal birth group had higher scores of SF36 compared to caesarean delivery. Thus, vaginal birth is the safe and less expensive option choice for mothers and their family, if there were no indications of caesarean delivery.