Effect of lifestyle educational package on prevention of postpartum health problems in nulliparous mothers: A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background and purpose: Mothers are highly vulnerable during pregnancy and after childbirth. Some problems could even lead to mortality and morbidity after childbirth. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the effect of lifestyle educational package on prevention of postpartum’s health problems in nulliparous mothers. Materials and methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 220 nulliparous women in postpartum ward. The subjects were allocated into two groups using block randomization method. Intervention group received face to face training, telephone counseling, booklets and informative text messages (both fathers and mothers), while the control group had no education or training. Any health problem on the day of discharge and two and six weeks after delivery were compared between the two groups using logistic regression test. Results: By lowering the frequency of health problems during pregnancy, the chances of developing some complications including constipation, hemorrhoids, anal fissure, abdominal pain, headache, painful or infected suture, sleep problems during the second and sixth weeks postpartum as well as the chances of having cold and fever, backache, leg cramp, breast pain, nipple fissure, fatigue or weakness, sadness and discomfort and vaginal infection during the sixth weeks of postpartum decreased by more than 50% in educational group compared with the control group. Conclusion: In this study, postpartum lifestyle intervention reduced the chance of developing many health problems. Therefore, more comprehensive interventions should be carried out by healthcare providers during pureperium period in postpartum ward and the health centers for mothers and fathers. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.