Supporting the Mother's Recovery after Cesarean Section: A Narrative Literature Review

Abstract

A cesarean section is the surgical delivery of one or more babies through an incision in the abdomen. Between 1990 and 2021, the worldwide rate of delivery by cesarean section increased from 7% to 21% of all births. Although Finland has the lowest cesarean section rate in the European Union at 16.5% in 2017, several factors have contributed to a steady rate increase. Cesarean sections are life-saving procedures, but they come with unique risks. This thesis focused on addressing complications that the mother can experience during recovery from a cesarean section. These included postpartum pain, surgical wound issues, challenges with breastfeeding, gastrointestinal complications, thrombosis, post- traumatic stress disorder, and postpartum depression. The goal of this thesis was to improve care and recovery for the mother during the postpartum period following a cesarean section. The purpose of this thesis was to provide information about the best methods for supporting the mother’s recovery after cesarean section. The research question that the thesis addressed was: How can the mother be supported through the potential challenges encountered after a cesarean section? Narrative literature review was the chosen research method. A total of 50 articles were selected and analyzed using inductive content analysis.

The data analysis resulted in the formulation of eleven themes, each consisting of different methods to support the mother following a cesarean section. The themes are as follows: skin-to-skin contact care; physical activity; early reintroduction of a normal diet; pharmacological intervention; wound care; patient education; mental health support; assessment and monitoring; social support network; acupressure; and natural remedies and tools at home. These results demonstrate a multitude of ways that a post-cesarean mother’s recovery can be supported during the postpartum period. Nurses and midwives are the primary advocates for their patients and their patient’s care. Nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals who work with post-cesarean mothers are encouraged to apply the findings of this review in order to offer the best support to the mother during the postpartum period. Additional evidence-based research is recommended to further validate some of the interventions found in this review.