Effects of Enhanced Comfort Program on Pain and Abdominal Distention for Postpartum Mothers with Cesarean Section

Abstract

This study is quasi-experimental with a posttest control group design. The research aimed at investigating the effects of a comfort program on pain and abdominal distention in postpartum mothers who underwent cesarean section. The sample was purposive selected from individuals meeting the specified criteria, comprising 118 mothers who had cesarean sections. They were divided into a control group of 59 and an experimental group of 59. The research intervention was the postpartum cesarean section comfort program divided into 2 parts: 1) before cesarean, build relationships and provide advice to promote well-being, and 2) after cesarean, plan to promote physical, spiritual, social, and environmental comfort, as well as a manual to promote comfort after cesarean section. Data collection tools included 1) a personal information questionnaire, 2) a pain record form, and 3) an abdominal distention assessment form. Content validity was assessed and yielded values of 0.84, 0.80, and 0.92. The reliability of the data collection tool was examined by calculating Cronbach's alpha for the abdominal distention assessment form, which yielded a value of 0.87. Test-retest reliability of the pain score record form was 0.80. General data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and pain between the experimental and control groups was compared using independent
t-tests.

The study results showed that the experimental group had significantly lower average pain scores and average abdominal distention scores at 24 and 48 hours compared to the control group (p < .001). Recommendations, nurses in the postpartum ward should implement the program in the care of mothers after cesarean section to help reduce postoperative complications and serve as a guideline for improving the efficiency of nursing care.