Evaluation Of The Functional Status Of Woman After Childbirth And Effective Factors

Abstract

Objective: The functional status after childbirth (FSAC) is the mother's readiness to assume infant care and to resume self-care, household, social, community, and occupational activities following birth. The recovery of the preconceptional functional status takes longer time than physiological healing process. This descriptive and analytical study was conducted to determine the functional status of women who gave birth after birth and to determine the influencing factors. Material and Methods: The sample group of this descriptive and analytical study comprises 200 women who were on the sixth week of their postpartum period after giving term birth either vaginally or with cesarean, who accepted to participate in the study, and who had medical records in primary health center number 15 (n=100) and 18 (n=100) in Antalya city center. The data were obtained via "Personal Information Form" and The Inventory of Functional Status After Childbirth (IFSAC) including sociodemographic features and birth history. Results: This study revealed that age, educational level, family type, type of delivery, number of children and the planning status of the pregnancy were important factors affecting the functional status after childbirth. In women not receiving baby care and household assistance, the functional status returned earlier and average score of FSAC was higher. It was found that in general, FSAC of the women increased over time following birth; however women were not able to completely return their functional statuses before birth even in the sixth month. Conclusion: Returning of women to their functional status after giving birth takes longer than six weeks which is the duration of physiological recovery. Providing the care women require during this period via holistic approach will affect their easier adaptation to the postpartum period.