Effect of Deep Tissue Massage on Women’s Wound Pain, Comfort, and Breastfeeding after Cesarean Section

Abstract

Background: Pain and delayed breastfeeding initiation is the most typical complications following a cesarean operation, which affect women's comfort. Adverse effects of using medications to relieve pain and lack of access to them for some women have led to an increase in the application of non-drug methods such as massage. Aim: To assess the effect of deep tissue massage on women's wound pain, comfort, and breastfeeding after cesarean section. Design: The study employed a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Setting: The study was conducted at the postpartum ward at Women's Health Hospital, Assuit University. Subjects: with a convenient sample size of 160 women (divided into two equal groups study and control). Tools: Structured interview, Visual Analogue Scale, Postpartum Comfort Questionnaire, and Breastfeeding Assessment Scale Latch LATCH were the four tools used. In the study group, DTM was implemented. Results: There is a highly statistically significant difference in wound pain, comfort, and breastfeeding following cesarean section between the study and control groups p<0.01. Conclusion: Applying DTM played a vital role in the management of post-cesarean section (CS) pain and improving mothers' comfort, and breastfeeding. Recommendations: DTM should be recommended in hospital protocols for the management of post-cesarean pain that leads to improvement comfort, and encouraging breastfeeding.