A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEDICATIONS ALONE VERSUS MEDICATIONS COMBINED WITH POSTNATAL EXERCISES IN PAIN MANAGEMENT FOLLOWING CESAREAN SECTION

Abstract

Maternal healing and quality of life can be greatly impacted by pain after caesarean section. The inclusion of physiotherapy-based postnatal activities may provide increased recovery advantages, even though pharmaceutical management is still the major therapeutic approach. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of medications alone versus medications with postnatal exercises for managing postpartum pain in women.

Methods

 A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 women who had an elective caesarean section done under spinal or epidural anesthesia over three months before and who had taken or taking painkillers or practiced postpartum exercises. Based on the treatment approach, the participants were divided into two groups: 83 received medication alone, and 37 received medication together with postpartum exercises. Data was gathered using a standardized questionnaire. Chi-square test, Paired sample t test, independent t test and one way ANOVA tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The results showed that pain severity and treatment type were significantly correlated. Comparing women who had medications and postnatal exercises together, the former reported far less pain and no instances of severe pain. Exercise was also rated as moderately to extremely efficient by 94.6% of participants and 91.9% of them thought that postpartum exercises need to be a regular component of rehabilitation from caesarean sections.

Conclusion

According to the study, postpartum exercises should be a apart of routine postnatal care for pain management following a caesarean section. More knowledge, accessibility, and policy inclusion of postnatal physiotherapy in maternity care protocols are necessary since physiotherapy therapies enhance pain outcomes and functional recovery.