Effect of Listening to Surah Al-Inshirah (The Opening-Up of the Heart) After Cesarean Birth on Postpartum Outcomes

Overview

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effect of listening to the recitation of Surah Al-Inshirah during the early postpartum period after cesarean birth on women's spiritual well-being, depression levels, and maternal attachment. The postpartum period is a sensitive phase characterized by physical recovery, emotional changes, and adaptation to the maternal role, particularly following cesarean delivery. Spiritual and religious practices are commonly used as coping strategies in this period, especially in Muslim populations. In this study, women who have undergone cesarean birth will be randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group will listen to the recitation of Surah Al-Inshirah in addition to receiving routine postpartum care, while the control group will receive routine postpartum care only. Outcomes related to spiritual well-being, postpartum depression, and maternal attachment will be assessed within the first 48 hours after birth. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and low-cost supportive care practices in the early postpartum period.

The postpartum period is a critical transition phase in which women experience significant physiological, psychological, and emotional changes. Women who give birth by cesarean section may face additional challenges such as postoperative pain, limited mobility, delayed recovery, and increased vulnerability to emotional distress. These factors may negatively affect spiritual well-being, increase the risk of postpartum depression, and interfere with the development of maternal attachment. Spiritual care interventions have gained increasing attention as supportive approaches in maternal health, particularly in cultures where religious beliefs and practices play an important role in coping with stress and emotional difficulties. In Islamic tradition, listening to the recitation of the Qur'an is believed to promote inner peace, emotional comfort, and spiritual strength. Surah Al-Inshirah, which emphasizes relief after hardship and emotional ease, may be especially meaningful during the early postpartum period. This study is designed as a randomized controlled trial and will be conducted in the postpartum wards of a tertiary hospital. The study population will consist of primiparous women aged 18 years and older who have undergone cesarean birth and meet the inclusion criteria. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group using a randomization procedure conducted by an independent healthcare professional to minimize allocation bias. Women in the intervention group will receive routine postpartum care and will additionally listen to a standardized audio recording of Surah Al-Inshirah during the first 48 hours after birth. The recitation will be delivered in a calm and comfortable environment at a safe sound level, with multiple listening sessions scheduled during the early postpartum period. Women in the control group will receive routine postpartum care only, without any additional audio or spiritual intervention. Data will be collected using a personal information form and validated measurement tools, including the Spirituality Index of Well-Being, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, and the Maternal Attachment Scale. Measurements will be conducted at baseline and repeated approximately 48 hours after birth to assess changes in outcomes. Statistical analyses will be performed to compare outcomes between the intervention and control groups. This study aims to provide scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate, low-cost, and non-invasive spiritual intervention to support women's psychological and emotional well-being after cesarean birth. The results may inform holistic and culturally sensitive postpartum care practices in maternal and newborn health services.