The impact of breastfeeding on postpartum pain after vaginal and cesarean delivery

Impact of obstetric physiotherapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on pain management and gastrointestinal function following cesarean birth: A randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

The study aimed to compare the impact of the physiotherapeutic method combined with TENS and physiotherapy alone on post-cesarean pain levels and the time required for intestinal peristalsis recovery. The study was conducted at the Specialist Hospital in Kraków, from January to March 2020.

METHODS

The study was designed as a parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT). Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: TENS (n=52), nTENS (n=50) and control group (n=34), based on block randomization of 6. The allocation sequence was provided using a computer-generated random list. The participants were 136 postpartum primiparous women after cesarean birth, aged ≥18 years, having a healthy newborn, with no contradictions to TENS. The TENS group received a physiotherapeutic procedure involving a 20-minute exercise program plus a 40-minute session of TENS. The nTENS group received physiotherapeutic procedure alone, and the control group was under the routine care of midwives. The pain was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 6, 7, 12 and 24 hours after cesarean birth and twice during verticalization.

RESULTS

TENS and nTENS groups had decreased pain intensity immediately after the intervention compared to the control group (p=0.002, p=0.027, respectively). During the first stage of the verticalization, the smallest increase in pain was observed in the TENS (p=0.044 compared to nTENS, p=0.000 compared to the control group). Within the increase in the pain score, the intestinal peristalsis recovery time was longer. In both groups undergoing physical therapy, a shortened recovery time of intestinal peristalsis was demonstrated (p=0.000).

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed physiotherapy program, combined with TENS and instruction, proved effective in relieving post-cesarean pain and accelerating the time to first defecation and should be considered part of the standard patient management program in maternity units.

Acupressure application to relieve postpartum uterus pain during breastfeeding: A randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE

Postpartum uterus pain while breastfeeding is a situation that can affect mother-infant bonding negatively and is a matter of concern for women. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of acupressure application in reducing postpartum uterus pain during breastfeeding.

METHODS

This prospective randomized controlled trial was carried out at a maternity hospital in northwestern Turkey between March and August 2022. The sample of the study included 125 multiparous women who were in the 6th to 24th hours after vaginal delivery. The participants were randomly divided into acupressure and control groups. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate postpartum uterine pain.

RESULTS

While the VAS scores of the acupressure and control groups were similar before breastfeeding, the scores of the acupressure group at the 10th and 20th minutes of breastfeeding were lower (respectively, p = 0.038 and p = 0.011). In the intragroup comparisons, compared to their values before breastfeeding, the pain score of the acupressure group decreased at a statistically highly significant degree at the 20th minute of breastfeeding (p<0.001), whereas the score of the control group increased at a statistically highly significant degree at the 10th and 20th minutes (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that acupressure can be an effective nonpharmacological method in reducing uterus pain while breastfeeding in the postpartum period.

Analgesia after cesarean section - what is new?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cesarean section is the most frequent surgical intervention, and pain following cesarean delivery unfortunately remains a common issue. The purpose of this article is to highlight the most effective and efficient options for postcesarean analgesia and to summarize current guidelines.

RECENT FINDINGS

The most effective form of postoperative analgesia is through neuraxial morphine. With adequate dosing, clinically relevant respiratory depression is extremely rare. It is important to identify women with increased risk of respiratory depression, as they might require more intensive postoperative monitoring. If neuraxial morphine cannot be used, abdominal wall block or surgical wound infiltration are very valuable alternatives. A multimodal regimen with intraoperative intravenous dexamethasone, fixed doses of paracetamol/acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce postcesarean opioid use. As the use of postoperative lumbar epidural analgesia impairs mobilization, double epidural catheters with lower thoracic epidural analgesia are a possible alternative.

SUMMARY

Adequate analgesia following cesarean delivery is still underused. Simple measures, such as multimodal analgesia regimens should be standardized according to institutional circumstances and defined as part of a treatment plan. Neuraxial morphine should be used whenever possible. If it cannot be used, abdominal wall blocks or surgical wound infiltration are good alternatives.

Effect of Midwives’ Application of Intelligent Delivery Room Management System on Delivery Outcome

Objective

To investigate the impact of midwives using an intelligent delivery room management system on the outcome of deliveries.

Method

A total of 100 primiparas admitted to the department of obstetrics and gynecology of our hospital from January 2019 to June 2020 were selected as the research objects. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control or observation. The control group got standard obstetric care. On the basis of the control group, midwives in the observation group applied the intelligent delivery room management system for delivery management. The outcomes of childbirth, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression were recorded and compared between the two groups.

Results

The observation group's first and second stages of labour were shorter than the control group's (P < 0.05), postpartum NRS score was lower than the control group's (P < 0.05), neonate Apgar score was higher than the control group's (P < 0.05), and the rate of vaginal delivery to caesarean section was lower than the control group's (P < 0.05). There was no statistical significance in prenatal S-AI scores between the observation group and the control group (P > 0.05). After delivery, the S-AI score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the comparison result was statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in prenatal EPDS scores between the observation group and the control group (P > 0.05). After delivery, the EPDS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, and the comparison result was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Midwives may employ sophisticated delivery room management technologies to improve birth outcomes and reduce maternal anxiety and depression, and it is something that should be extensively promoted in clinic.

Programmed Intermittent Epidural Bolus in Comparison with Continuous Epidural Infusion for Uterine Contraction Pain Relief After Cesarean Section: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Purpose

Programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) was reported to provide superior maintenance of labour analgesia with better pain relief and less motor block than continuous epidural infusion (CEI). Whether this is also evident for uterine contraction pain relief after cesarean section remains unknown.

Patients and Methods

Parturients scheduled for cesarean section were recruited for the study. At the end of the surgery, after a similar epidural loading dose given, patients received either PIEB (6 mL·h⁻¹) or CEI (6 mL·h⁻¹) of 0.1% ropivacaine. The primary outcome was the uterine contraction pain assessed with visual analog scale (VAS-U) at the postoperative 36 h. Secondary outcomes included incision pain at the rest (VAS-R) and in the movement-evoked (VAS-P), and lower extremity motor block (defined as Bromage score > 0). The whole profile of VAS scores between groups was analyzed using linear mixed model. When significant differences were found, the pairwise comparison was done with the Mann Whitney U-test followed by Bonferroni correction.

Results

One hundred and twenty parturients were studied (PIEB, 60; CEI, 60). VAS-U at the postoperative 36 h in the PIEB group was lower than in the CEI group (Bonferroni-adjusted P < 0.01). The linear mixed model indicated that VAS-U, VAS-R and VAS-P were lower in the PIEB group compared with the CEI group (all P < 0.01). Motor block was higher in the CEI group than in the PIEB group during the study period except 2 h (all P < 0.05). No differences of adverse events such as hypotension and urinary retention were observed between the two groups.

Conclusion

Programmed intermittent epidural bolus provides more effective uterine contraction and incision pain relief and less motor block after cesarean section than continuous epidural infusion without an increased risk of urinary retention and blood pressure instability.

Influence of Catheter-Incision Congruency in Epidural Analgesia on Postcesarean Pain Management: A Single-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial

Patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) or epidural morphine may alleviate postcesarean pain; however, conventional lumbar epidural insertion is catheter–incision incongruent for cesarean delivery. Methods: In total, 189 women who underwent cesarean delivery were randomly divided into four groups (low thoracic PCEA, lumbar PCEA, low thoracic morphine, and lumbar morphine groups) for postcesarean pain management. Pain intensities, including static pain, dynamic pain, and uterine cramp, were measured using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). The proportion of participants who experienced dynamic wound pain with a VAS score of >33 mm was evaluated as the primary outcome. Adverse effects, including lower extremity blockade, pruritus, postoperative nausea and vomiting, sedation, and time of first passage of flatulence, were evaluated. Results: The low thoracic PCEA group had the lowest proportion of participants reporting dynamic pain at 6 h after spinal anesthesia (low thoracic PCEA, 28.8%; lumbar PCEA, 69.4%; low thoracic morphine, 67.3%; lumbar morphine group, 73.9%; p < 0.001). The aforementioned group also reported the most favorable VAS scores for static, dynamic, and uterine cramp pain during the first 24 h after surgery. Adverse effect profiles were similar among the four groups, but a higher proportion of participants in the lumbar PCEA group (approximately 20% more than in the other three groups) reported prolonged postoperative lower extremity motor blockade (p = 0.005). In addition, the first passage of flatulence after surgery reported by the low thoracic PCEA group was approximately 8 h earlier than that of the two morphine groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Epidural congruency is essential to PCEA for postcesarean pain. Low thoracic PCEA achieves favorable analgesic effects and may promote postoperative gastrointestinal recovery without additional adverse effects.

Comparison of the analgesic effects of two quadratus lumborum blocks (QLBs), QLB type II vs QLB type III, in caesarean delivery: A randomised study

BACKGROUND

Quadratus lumborum blocks (QLBs) are relatively novel regional anaesthesia techniques, and the efficacy of all three types of QLB for postoperative analgesia in caesarean delivery (CD) has been demonstrated in separate studies. The aim of the present study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of the QLB-II and QLB-III blocks performed at the end of surgery in patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia for CD.

METHODS

We conducted a comparative, blinded, prospective, randomised and efficiency study. A total of 80 patients scheduled for elective CD under spinal anaesthesia were randomly allocated to receive either bilateral ultrasound-guided QLB-II or QLB-III block in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome was opioid consumption administered by a patient-controlled analgesia in the first 24 hours postoperatively. The secondary outcome of the study was pain intensity. Also, the time of first opioid requirement and the presence of nausea and vomiting were recorded.

RESULTS

Morphine consumption was statistically significantly lower in the QLB-III group when compared with the QLB-II group at the 3rd, 6th, 12th and 24th hours (P < .001, P < .001, P = .004, and P = .015, respectively). The QLB-III group showed significantly lower pain scores at rest at the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 24th hours after surgery (P < .001, P < .001, P < .001, P = .007 and P < .001, respectively). The QLB-III group also showed significantly lower pain score on movement at all measurement times (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The analgesic efficacy of QLB-III was superior to QLB-II in patients who had undergone CD under spinal anaesthesia without use of intrathecal opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Subarachnoid block and ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block for caesarean section: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

After caesarean section, maternal postoperative comfort is critical to allow the new mother to care for her baby. Insufficient pain relief during the postoperative period may delay maternal/infant bonding and, in addition, such pain has been linked to subsequent depression and chronic pain. Caesarean section is commonly performed with a Pfannenstiel incision, and a transversalis fascia plane (TFP) block provides postoperative analgesia in the T12 and L1 dermatomes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the TFP block on postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores in patients undergoing caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

DESIGN

A randomised controlled, double-blind study.

SETTINGS

Single-centre, academic hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty patients undergoing caesarean section.

INTERVENTIONS

The TFP group (n = 30) received an ultrasound-guided bilateral TFP block with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. The control group (n = 30) received 20 ml of saline bilaterally. Postoperative analgesia was given every 6 h with intravenous paracetamol 1 g and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with morphine.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Postoperative visual analogue pain scores, morphine consumption, rescue analgesia and opioid-related side effects were evaluated.

RESULTS

In the TFP group, the visual analogue pain scores were significantly lower at rest for 2 h after the operation (P = 0.011) and during active movement at 2, 4 and 8 h postoperatively (P = 0.014, <0.001 and 0.032, respectively). Morphine consumption in the first 24 h after surgery was significantly higher in the control group compared with the TFP group (38.5 ± 11.63 and 19.5 ± 8.33 mg, respectively; P < 0.001). The incidence of postoperative nausea and constipation were statistically higher in the control group than in the TFP group (P < 0.05). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the TFP group (P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

A postoperative TFP block can reduce opioid consumption and relieve acute pain after a caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04172727.

Incidence, severity, and determinants of uterine contraction pain after vaginal delivery: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Postpartum uterine contraction pain has not been studied sufficiently. We aimed to assess the incidence, intensity, and risk factors for postpartum uterine contraction pain.

METHODS

Women with singleton pregnancies who delivered vaginally were enrolled in this prospective, observational, single-institution study. We determined the numerical rating scale (NRS) score (0 to 10-point) for uterine contraction pain at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after delivery. Generalized mixed modeling was used to identify the risk factors for significant postpartum uterine contraction pain (NRS score ≥3). We compared the incidence and severity of postpartum uterine contraction pain between nulliparous and multiparous women.

RESULTS

Two hundred and sixty-five nulliparous and 139 multiparous women were included. Forty-seven percent (188/404; 95% confidence interval [CI] 41.7% to 51.4%) of women presented with significant uterine contraction pain within 48 h of delivery. The generalized mixed model showed that nulliparous women had a lower risk of significant postpartum uterine contraction pain compared with multiparous women (odds ratio [OR] 0.33, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.61; P<0.001). Women with a history of dysmenorrhea had higher risk of significant postpartum uterine contraction pain (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.79; P=0.014). Both nulliparous and multiparous women reported more intense uterine contraction pain while breastfeeding (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Postpartum uterine contraction pain is common and severe in some women. Parity and history of dysmenorrhea are significant risk factors for significant postpartum uterine contraction pain.

Promoting breastfeeding in Chinese women undergoing cesarean section based on the health belief model: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The high rate of cesarean section is an important factor affecting breastfeeding in China. To improve the nation's current situation of breastfeeding, promoting breastfeeding in women undergoing cesarean section is essential.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of health belief model-based interventions on breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding behaviors, and breastfeeding satisfaction of Chinese cesarean women.

METHODS

A total of 346 cesarean section women were enrolled in the randomized controlled trial conducted at a center in Chengdu, China, between July 1, 2018 and August 31, 2018. While the control group (n = 173) received conventional breastfeeding guidance only, the intervention group (n = 173) received additional interventions based on the health belief model. Questionnaires were distributed to assess breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding behavior, and breastfeeding satisfaction at discharge, 42 days postpartum, and 4 months postpartum, respectively.

RESULTS

At discharge from hospital, the breastfeeding knowledge score of the intervention group was higher than that of the control group (Z = -11.753, P < .001). The exclusive breastfeeding rates in the intervention group at the time of discharge, 42 days postpartum, and 4 months postpartum were 67.3%, 60.7%, and 52.9%, respectively, while those of the control group were 41.2%, 41.6%, and 40.4%, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (χ = 23.353, P < .001; χ = 11.853, P < .001; χ = 4.805, P = .03). The breastfeeding satisfaction of the intervention group was also higher than the control group at the time of discharge, 42 days postpartum and 4 months postpartum (t = 4.955, P < .001; t = 3.051, P = .002; Z = -3.801, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

The health belief model-based interventions can effectively increase breastfeeding knowledge for Chinese cesarean women and improve their breastfeeding behaviors and breastfeeding satisfaction within 4 months after delivery.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR1900026006 <http://www.chictr.org.cn/usercenter.aspx>.

[Which medications are safe while breastfeeding? : A synopsis for the anesthetist, obstetrician and pediatrician]

Pharmacokinetic data on drug administration during lactation are often inconsistent or missing. For legal reasons medicinal drug product information generally advises to interrupt breastfeeding for 24 h after medication intake. However this is not standard of care in clinical practice as the mother should be instructed to initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible after giving birth. At the same time the medication exposure over the breast milk for the newborn should be minimized. Aim of this article is to summarize pharmacokinetic data and to give important clinical information on medications frequently administered during the lactation period. As a general rule a mother can start breastfeeding following anesthesia as soon as she is able to get her baby latched on her breast.

Implications of pain in functional activities in immediate postpartum period according to the mode of delivery and parity: an observational study

OBJECTIVES

To identify women's complaints about pain in the immediate postpartum of vaginal delivery and cesarean section; to measure the intensity of pain in postpartum women at rest and with selected movements and to compare the activity limitations in relation to the mode of delivery and parity.

METHOD

Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Eighty-six women, in the immediate postpartum period after vaginal delivery (n=43) and cesarean section (n=43), were evaluated for physical discomforts and their difficulty in performing functional activities.

RESULTS

Abdominal pain (mean differences=-39.5%; 95% CI=-57.3 to -21.8%), neck pain (mean differences=-16.3%; 95% CI=-32.3 to -0.3%) and edema (mean differences=-41.4%; 95% CI=-63.3 to -20.4%) were reported of cesarean women postpartum. Perineal pain (p<0.05) was reported in vaginal delivery women postpartum. Postpartum pain was more severe during movement after cesarean section (p<0.05) resulting in pain during the activities of sitting down (mean differences=-30.2%; 95% CI=-50.7 to -9.8%), standing up from a sitting position (mean differences=-46.5%; 95% CI=-65.0 to -28.0%), walking (mean differences=-44.2%; 95% CI=-65.2 to -23.1%), lying down (mean differences=-32.6%; 95% CI=-54.9 to -10.3%) and taking a bath (mean differences=-24.0%; 95% CI=-43.1 to -5.0%). Correspondence analysis found no association between parity and functional limitations.

CONCLUSION

The highest number of complaints was associated with movement activities and cesarean section postpartum. There was no relationship between functional limitations and parity in this study.