We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Implementation of a Hydrotherapy Protocol to Improve Postpartum Pain Management.
- Authors
Batten, Meghann; Stevenson, Eleanor; Zimmermann, Deb; Isaacs, Christine
- Abstract
Introduction A growing number of women are seeking alternatives to traditional pharmacologic pain management during birth. While there has been an extensive array of nonpharmacologic options developed for labor, there are limited offerings in the postpartum period. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a hydrotherapy protocol in the early postpartum period to improve pain management for women choosing a nonmedicated birth. Process The postpartum hydrotherapy protocol was initiated in a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) practice in an urban academic medical center. All women who met criteria were offered a 30-minute warm water immersion bath at one hour postpartum. Pain scores were assessed prior to the bath, at 15 minutes after onset, and again at the conclusion (30 minutes). Women who completed the bath were also asked to complete a brief survey on their experience with postpartum hydrotherapy. Outcomes In women who used the bath (N = 45), there was a significant reduction in pain scores ( P < .001) between the onset of the bath and scores at both 15 minutes and 30 minutes. There was no significant difference between pain scores at 15 minutes and 30 minutes ( P = .97). Of those women who completed a survey (n = 43), 97.7% reported both that the bath reduced their pain and improved their birth experience. One hundred percent reported they would use it again in another birth. Discussion This project demonstrated successful implementation of a hydrotherapy protocol as an alternative or adjunct to medication for early postpartum pain management that significantly reduced pain and improved the birth experience for those who used it. It offers a nonpharmacologic alternative where there have traditionally been limited options.
- Subjects
ANALYSIS of variance; CONTENT analysis; HYDROTHERAPY; LABOR (Obstetrics); MEDICAL protocols; HEALTH outcome assessment; PATIENT satisfaction; POSTNATAL care; PROBABILITY theory; QUALITY assurance; SAFETY; SURVEYS; MIDWIFERY; PAIN management; PAIN measurement; HUMAN services programs; REPEATED measures design; EVALUATION of human services programs; DATA analysis software; MEDICAL coding; DESCRIPTIVE statistics
- Publication
Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 2017, Vol 62, Issue 2, p210
- ISSN
1526-9523
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/jmwh.12580