Effect of structured exercise sessions on post-operative problems related to immobility in post-caesarean patients

Abstract

As the well-being of maternal and child health occupies a paramount place in the healthcare delivery system, caesarean section (CS) has become the most common intervention in obstetrics care, in many countries. Although the indicated and timely CS has tremendous advantages for the mother and the baby, there are several consequences of caesarean delivery in comparison to normal delivery. Being one of the major abdominal surgeries, it also carries the risk associated with general surgeries. Non-probability sampling design was used to recruit 500 participants, who were allotted to experimental and control groups. With the routine post-caesarean care as per hospital routine, the planned structured exercise session was initiated for the experimental group on the day of lower segment caesarean section and was followed twice a day for the first 5 post-caesarean days. The study participants of the control group were given the routine care only. At the end of each day, the selected data for the presence of post-operative complications were collected by structured observation and self-report techniques. It was evident that the selected post-operative problems related to immobility were less in the experimental group as compared to that of the control group. The study concluded that structured post-operative exercise sessions are effective in reducing the potential post-operative problems associated with immobility in post-caesarean period. It can be implemented effectively to enhance the recovery of women after CS.