Post-operative Experience following Caesarean Section in a Nigerian Obstetric Population

Background: Caesarean section is the most significant obstetrics operative intervention globally. Good postoperative experience after caesarean section is important because there is need for the mother to recover from surgery and take care of her baby. The aim of this study was to assess the experience of women that had caesarean section in the first 24 hours postoperatively. Materials/methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among women that had elective and emergency caesarean section. They were followed up to 24 hours post-operative. The primary outcome measures were pain score and satisfaction. Secondary outcome measures were time of mobilization, time of commencement of oral feeds and time of initiation of breastfeeding. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Results: The median pain scores among those that had emergency and elective caesarean section ranged between 2 and 3 at all points of pain assessment. The satisfaction was good among 66.1% that had emergency caesarean section and 71.2% among those that had elective caesarean section. However, the difference was not statistically significant (χ2 = 0.546, p = 0.761). More than 90% of the participants that had either emergency or elective caesarean section did not ambulate within the first 24 hours after caesarean section and there was no association between the time of ambulation and the type of caesarean section (χ2 = 0.005, p = 0.941). Conclusion: The participants had adequate pain relief and majority were satisfied with the pain relief. However, the optimum satisfaction was not achieved. The participants did not ambulate early and did not initiate breast-feeding early. Recommendation: Further research is recommended to assess other factors that affect patient's satisfaction and ambulation so as to improve on patient's postoperative care.