A Qualitative analysis of parturients’ experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaints

Background: Cesarean deliveries have increased globally, with regional anesthesia being the preferred technique. Despite the advantages of the procedure, parturients experience apprehension regarding pain, mobility, and complications. The postoperative period following cesarean delivery can also be...

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Main Authors: R Arunachalam, DS Sudhakar, R Selvakumar, T Prathiba Bharathi, K Murugesan, Rakesh Anbazhagan, Rashmi Dhungana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-01-01
Series:Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia
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Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/sja.sja_326_24
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author R Arunachalam
DS Sudhakar
R Selvakumar
T Prathiba Bharathi
K Murugesan
Rakesh Anbazhagan
Rashmi Dhungana
author_facet R Arunachalam
DS Sudhakar
R Selvakumar
T Prathiba Bharathi
K Murugesan
Rakesh Anbazhagan
Rashmi Dhungana
author_sort R Arunachalam
collection DOAJ
description Background: Cesarean deliveries have increased globally, with regional anesthesia being the preferred technique. Despite the advantages of the procedure, parturients experience apprehension regarding pain, mobility, and complications. The postoperative period following cesarean delivery can also be challenging. However, there is limited qualitative research exploring parturients’ experiences with regional anesthesia for cesarean delivery and postoperative recovery. Methods: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted with 12 primiparous parturients who underwent cesarean delivery under regional anesthesia. Interviews explored knowledge, perceptions, and experiences regarding regional anesthesia, cesarean delivery, and postoperative recovery. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Parturients in the study reported experiencing pregnancy-related complications necessitated for opting cesarean delivery instead of vaginal delivery. The study revealed substantial knowledge gaps among parturients regarding cesarean section (CS) and anesthesia. Their decision for CS was driven by prioritizing fetal safety over personal comfort. Parturients did not have many concerns about anesthesia and were focusing mainly on neonatal wellbeing. They had limited recollection of the anesthesia experience but vividly remembered the delivery process and postoperative pain. A strong desire for recovery to provide neonatal care was expressed. Despite challenges, parturients reported overall satisfaction with the CS experience and willingness to recommend it when medically indicated. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for comprehensive education on regional anesthesia, postoperative care, and coping strategies for parturients undergoing cesarean delivery. It emphasizes judicious use of cesarean delivery based on medical necessity while ensuring optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes. Further qualitative research with larger samples is recommended.
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spelling doaj-art-07b06df728e4483a8e4a2d7b74fc174e2025-02-06T07:24:16ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsSaudi Journal of Anaesthesia1658-354X0975-31252025-01-01191525710.4103/sja.sja_326_24A Qualitative analysis of parturients’ experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaintsR ArunachalamDS SudhakarR SelvakumarT Prathiba BharathiK MurugesanRakesh AnbazhaganRashmi DhunganaBackground: Cesarean deliveries have increased globally, with regional anesthesia being the preferred technique. Despite the advantages of the procedure, parturients experience apprehension regarding pain, mobility, and complications. The postoperative period following cesarean delivery can also be challenging. However, there is limited qualitative research exploring parturients’ experiences with regional anesthesia for cesarean delivery and postoperative recovery. Methods: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted with 12 primiparous parturients who underwent cesarean delivery under regional anesthesia. Interviews explored knowledge, perceptions, and experiences regarding regional anesthesia, cesarean delivery, and postoperative recovery. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Parturients in the study reported experiencing pregnancy-related complications necessitated for opting cesarean delivery instead of vaginal delivery. The study revealed substantial knowledge gaps among parturients regarding cesarean section (CS) and anesthesia. Their decision for CS was driven by prioritizing fetal safety over personal comfort. Parturients did not have many concerns about anesthesia and were focusing mainly on neonatal wellbeing. They had limited recollection of the anesthesia experience but vividly remembered the delivery process and postoperative pain. A strong desire for recovery to provide neonatal care was expressed. Despite challenges, parturients reported overall satisfaction with the CS experience and willingness to recommend it when medically indicated. Conclusion: The study highlights the need for comprehensive education on regional anesthesia, postoperative care, and coping strategies for parturients undergoing cesarean delivery. It emphasizes judicious use of cesarean delivery based on medical necessity while ensuring optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes. Further qualitative research with larger samples is recommended.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/sja.sja_326_24cesareanneonatalparturients
spellingShingle R Arunachalam
DS Sudhakar
R Selvakumar
T Prathiba Bharathi
K Murugesan
Rakesh Anbazhagan
Rashmi Dhungana
A Qualitative analysis of parturients’ experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaints
Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia
cesarean
neonatal
parturients
title A Qualitative analysis of parturients’ experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaints
title_full A Qualitative analysis of parturients’ experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaints
title_fullStr A Qualitative analysis of parturients’ experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaints
title_full_unstemmed A Qualitative analysis of parturients’ experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaints
title_short A Qualitative analysis of parturients’ experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaints
title_sort qualitative analysis of parturients experience of spinal anesthesia and postoperative complaints
topic cesarean
neonatal
parturients
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/sja.sja_326_24
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