Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care (SJNHC)
Volume-4 | Issue-08 | 218-228
Original Research Article
Physical Health of Mothers after Normal Vaginal and Cesarean Deliveries: A Comparative Study in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Sabiha Khanum, Sumaira Jabeen, Maria de Lourdes de Souza, Najma Naz, Zannis Benevides de Andrade, Stefhanie Conceição de Jesus
Published : Aug. 16, 2021
Abstract
Delivery is the physiological process of giving birth to a baby. Besides other complications, both methods of deliveries impact the postpartum quality of life of mothers. The post-partum period is one of the critical period in which the health status of a woman changes. Objectives: To compare the physical health among post-partum mothers after cesarean and normal vaginal deliveries. Methodology: A causal-comparative study was conducted. Overall, 104 women with normal vaginal delivery (52) and cesarean section (52) were included using the consecutive sampling technique. Data was collected using the quality-of-life questionnaire (SF-36). Results: Overall, five (9.6%), 30 (57.6%), 13 (25%), and four (7.6%) women among the normal vaginal delivery reported very good, good, fair, and poor health. Similarly, two (3.8%), eight (15.3%), 20 (38.4%), and 22 (42.3%) women in the cesarean section group reported very good, good, fair, and poor health. Activities were “limited a little” among women undergoing normal vaginal delivery, and activities were “limited a lot” among women undergoing cesarean section. 80.7% of women in the normal vaginal delivery group and 90% of women in the cesarean section group reported that they cut down the amount of time they spent on work or other activities. Conclusion: The findings of the study concluded that women who undergo normal vaginal delivery have a better quality of physical health as compared to women undergoing cesarean section.