CLINICAL ANALYSIS OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN POST PARTUM PERIOD

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Mothers, though delivered well, managed well, face certain issues in the postpartum phase due to lack of preparedness for this very important phase and lack of knowledge of basic hygiene practices – referred to as post partum well being.

AIM

To explore important domains of women’s postpartum experiences as perceived by postpartum mothers as in to determine pain index, physical and emotional well being and to investigate how postpartum preparedness could enhance patient care for the postpartum period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 Qualitative research study was conducted to explore women’s perceptions of the postpartum experience. Postpartum women (n = 100) were questioned at a tertiary care center C U SHAH MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL, Surendranagar, Gujarat. Mothers did not expect many of the symptoms they experienced after childbirth. We classified all the complaints and covered various parameters for overall physical and emotional wellbeing. Also differences existed in the major postpartum concerns of mothers and obstetricians. However, both mothers and obstetricians agreed that preparation during the antepartum period could be beneficial for postpartum recovery. Results from this study indicate that many mothers do not feel prepared for the postpartum experience. Study findings raise the hypothesis that capturing patient-centered domains that define the postpartum experience and integrating these domains into patient care may enhance patient preparation for postpartum recovery and improve postpartum outcomes.