Examining the Postpartum Comfort and Physical Symptomology of Primiparous Women with Episiotomy during the First Six Months After Birth

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine primiparous women’s comfort and physical symptoms over six months postpartum after episiotomy.
 Material and Method: In this study, descriptive clinical follow-up was performed in primiparous 32 pregnant women in a state hospital. The Postpartum Comfort Scale and Postpartum Physical Symptom Severity Scales were used. 
 Results: The results of Cohran’s Q and Friedman’s tests revealed that women’s postpartum comfort and physical symptom scores improved more at the end of the 6th month compared to the 1st and 3rd months. It was determined that by the 6th month after birth, the rate of women experiencing pain/tension in the episiotomy area and applying to heal the perineum decreased. It was observed that the rate of complete healing of the stitches in the episiotomy area increased. 
 Conclusion: When observing postpartum comfort and physical symptoms in primiparous mothers, it became evident that some women continued to experience the side effects of episiotomy, leading to a decrease in their overall life comfort. It is crucial to offer education and care to women regarding perineal care methods, starting from pregnancy, to safeguard women’s health. This approach can contribute to the prevention of unnecessary episiotomies during both hospital and home births.