Comparative study on well-being (Feel-good) in natural childbirth and cesarean section

Abstract

Background: The importance of the topic well-being in modern psychology and science regarding the importance of mental health of postpartum mothers and its effect on family health and on the mental health of children and the community is proven. The mother’s satisfaction after delivery has an important effect on the next selection of method of delivery for herself and her family, too. This study aimed to determine the impact of method of delivery on the feeling of well-being. Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 100 pregnant women candidates for natural childbirth and 100 pregnant woman candidates for caesarian section were interviewed before and after delivery using well-being standardized questionnaire. The influence of the method of delivery and pregnancy and related variables on the feeling of well-being after childbirth was investigated. Findings: Before the delivery, the mean score of well-being was 65.40 ± 17.88 and 66.24 ± 14.86 in cesarean section and natural childbirth groups, respectively; after the delivery, the mean score was 63.11 ± 26.82 and 64.52 ± 22.24 in the groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups before and after the delivery. Based on linear regression test, to predict the amount of well-being after childbirth, history of child death and the amount of well-being before the delivery were the only variables that prophesied the amount of well-being after the childbirth; other variables including age, sex, unwanted pregnancy, baby ranks, history of ectopic pregnancy, history of miscarriage and the number of the children were alive and were not score predictions. Conclusion: According to the results, type of the delivery has no significant influence on the feeling of well-being after childbirth. History of child death and amount of well-being before the delivery are the only variables that prophecies the amount of well-being after childbirth. © 2015 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.