Postoperative pain after cesarean birth affects breastfeeding and infant care.
OBJECTIVE
To study women's experience of postoperative pain and pain relief after cesarean birth and factors associated with pain assessment and the birth experience.


METHODS
Descriptive patient survey. Data were collected through a questionnaire. The outcome variables were assessments of pain using a Visual Analog Scale and women's birth experience measured on a seven-point Likert scale.


METHODS
Central Swedish county hospital, maternity unit.


METHODS
The sample consisted of 60 women undergoing cesarean birth.


RESULTS
Women reported high levels of experienced pain during the first 24 hours. Seventy-eight percent of the women scored greater than or equal to 4 on the Visual Analog Scale, which can be seen as inadequately treated pain. There was no difference between elective and emergency cesarean births in the levels of pain. In spite of high levels of pain, women were pleased with the pain relief. The risk of a negative birth experience was 80% higher for women undergoing an emergency cesarean birth compared with elective cesarean birth. Postoperative pain negatively affected breastfeeding and infant care.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need for individual and adequate pain treatment for women undergoing cesarean birth, as high levels of pain interfere with early infant care and breastfeeding.
Karlström
Annika
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Hospital of Sundsvall, Sundsvall, Sweden. annika.karlstrom@lvn.se
Engström-Olofsson
Regina
R
Norbergh
Karl-Gustaf
KG
Sjöling
Mats
M
Hildingsson
Ingegerd
I
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000523:psychology*; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000523:psychology; D004630:Emergencies / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006766:Hospitals, County; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors