The rate of cesarean delivery is increasing, in developing countries, its rate ranges from 13 to 47% of all cases of delivery. This huge volume of cesarean deliveries has a great financial burden on the healthcare system. Rising hospital costs have led to the implementation of an early discharge policy after surgeries.
Cesarean section (CS) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure worldwide that effectively prevents maternal and newborn mortality when used for medically indicated reasons. Compared with vaginal delivery, however, the procedure is associated with a higher risk of various maternal complications, such as maternal infection and subsequent pregnancy complications, and a higher likelihood of re-hospitalization within six weeks of delivery. Furthermore, the likelihood of maternal morbidity increases for mothers who repeatedly undergo cesarean delivery. CS typically implies a hospital stay for two to three days, whereas parous women are often discharged within a few hours after an uncomplicated vaginal birth. However, the period after CS includes recovery from surgery as well as adapting to motherhood. According to World Health Organization, the cesarean section rate will increase to 28.5% of total live births by the year 2030. This huge volume of cesarean deliveries and increasing cesarean section rate has an incremental burden on the healthcare system, leading to higher bed occupancy and financial pressure on the patients and health facilities. Postpartum stay at hospitals is steadily declining in the UK and other countries due to cost savings. Rising hospital costs are one of the factors in early discharge. According to The American College of midwifery and gynecology, earlier discharge is a choice if the baby is ready to go home, though, the mother should have basic requirements such as normal blood pressure, no symptoms of infection, and adequate pain control. Also, the National institute for health and care excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend "women who are recovering well, are apyrexial and do not have complications following Caesarean Section should be offered early discharge (after 24 hours) from the hospital and follow up at home.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
158
KATZ index measures self-care tasks using a dichotomous rating (dependent-0/independent-1) including; bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring to and from a chair, maintaining continence, and feeding. Six points are considered independent and 0 points are considered fully dependent. Assessment of each patient is made through a phone call at day 1, 3 and 5 after discharge
AinShams university maternity hospital
Cairo, Egypt
Activities of daily living
Objective assessment is made by the KATZ index of independence of activities of daily living. The Katz index measures six self-care tasks including; bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, maintaining continence, and feeding using a dichotomous rating (dependent-0/independent-1). Six points are considered independent and 0 points are considered fully dependent
Time frame: The first week after cesarean section
Wound assessment
Assessment of the wound by the Southampton wound scoring system will take place 1 week after the cesarean section. It categorizes wound complications on a grade from 0 to V, with the latter being deep or severe wound infection.
Time frame: First postpartum visit 1 week after the cesarean section
Return to normal bowel activities
Passage of flatus and stool after the cesarean section
Time frame: First 48 hours after cesarean section
initiation of successful breast feeding
Start of lactation
Time frame: First postpartum visit 1 week after the cesarean section
Neonatal readmission
The rate of neonatal admission and the reason will be assessed
Time frame: First postpartum visit 1 week after the cesarean section
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