Comparing Quality of Life in Women after Vaginal Delivery and Cesarean Section

Introduction

Structural changes, imposed by technological advances, have altered the meaning and importance of concepts such as delivery and childbirth. Prevalence of caesarean section (abbreviated as c-section) can be considered as one of the first consequences of technological advances related to childbirth (1).

Rate of c-sections increasing in many countries around the world Caesarean rate is rising in Brazil and Taiwan and it is reported to be more than 60% in some countries. World Health Organization (WHO) has been warning about the rising rate of c-section in the world

and recommends that countries maintain a rate of 10-15% (2).

As statistics indicated, in 1999, the prevalence of c-section was estimated at 35.4% in Iran and in 2004, it reached up to 42.3%. At the moment, c-section accounts for more than 50% of all deliveries (3).

Although many studies have shown that c-section could lead to numerous complications, according to statistics, mothers still find c-section a safer mode of delivery, compared to natural birth (4). It seems that pregnant women are not well aware of the consequences and disadvantages of different modes of childbirth; therefore, it is necessary to inform them about the advantages and disadvantages of c-section and vaginal delivery. By providing such information, mothers are able to make informed decisions concerning the mode of delivery (5).

Complications associated with each mode of delivery are related to mothers ‘pain, physical functioning, and freshness. All the mentioned factors, as well as the way of an individual’s living, can be summarized as an individual’s quality of life. Quality of life is an extensive and intricate concept, which has mingled with an individual’s physical health, mental state, independence, social contacts, and personal beliefs (6).

Childbirth affects mothers remarkably. After the postnatal period, the mother's quality of life is under the influence of medical, psychological, and social factors, associated with childbirth (such as mother’s age, physical health during the prenatal period, beliefs, interests, and temperaments) (7). Traditionally, postnatal period is believed to last for six months; however, longitudinal studies, evaluating mothers’ quality of life, have been indicative of physical and anxiety problems among 50% of women one year after delivery; even some of the symptoms persisted up to 18 months after c-section (8).

Many studies have been carried out regarding the consequences of different modes of delivery. Nikpoor et al. (9) assessed the quality of life of 290 women eight weeks after childbirth, based on the standards established by WHO. They realized that the scores of physical and mental domains in vaginal delivery were higher than those of c-section.

In another study, Torkan et al. (3) examined the quality of life of 100 women within intervals of 8, 12, and 14 weeks (during the postnatal period). The results indicated that natural childbirth was associated with higher quality of life, compared to c-section during the postnatal period; the subjects’ physical health improved during this period. They found that caesarean delivery might deteriorate mothers' quality of life when surgical interference and problems, caused by hospitalization, increase.

C-section has unexpectedly spread in developing countries, particularly in Iran. Cesarean delivery is a surgical intervention, which imposes a financial burden on the family and requires hospitalization and anesthesia tolerance. Therefore, it seems necessary to meticulously examine and analyze this issue in our country. This study aimed to compare women’s quality of life after vaginal delivery and c-section.

Materials and Methods

In this retrospective, cohort research, study population included mothers with childbirth experience over the last year. The sample included all mothers, who referred to healthcare centers for congenital hypothyroidism screening or infant vaccination2, 4, 6, and 12 months after delivery. According to the study performed by Wong et al (10), the mean and standard deviation were reported to be 26.9 and 35for mothers with natural delivery and 18 and 18.9 for those with c-section.

Finally, the sample size consisted of 210 subjects, with a 95% significance level and 90% statistical power for each group (vaginal delivery and c-section groups) at each period (1 week, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 months after delivery). Furthermore, the total size of the population included 2,100 subjects since the study consisted of 10 groups of 210 subjects.

Ware and Sherbourne (11) developed the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. This instrument evaluates one’s quality of life and includes36 items; normal individuals need 5-15 min to answer the questionnaire. The scores obtained in this questionnaire range from 0 to 100. In fact, higher scores indicate higher quality of life.

This questionnaire includes 9 sections of items related to quality of life in domains of physical performance, activity limitation due to physical injury, activity restriction caused by spiritual trauma, energy, exhaustion, vitality, social functioning, physical pain, and general health. Each item is gradedfrom0to 100 and high scores indicate high quality of life in each section.

Numerous studies have confirmed the validity and reliability of this questionnaire. Ware and Sherbourne (11) have measured its internal reliability as0.94, based on Cranach’s alpha. Previous research on life quality has revealed the high validity and reliability of this questionnaire in Iran (12,13). Montazeri, Ghashtasbi, and Vahdaninia (14) estimated the validity and reliability of this questionnaire among 4,163 mostly married subjects for the first time in Iran. The reliability index in eight subscales was estimated at 0.77-0.95.In addition, Motamed et al. (15) examined the reliability of this instrument in Shiraz and calculated the Cranach’s alpha of Farsi version.

Montazeri et al. (14) used the convergent validity to examine the validity of the test. The obtained results were satisfactory and all correlation coefficients turned out to be higher than the suggested amount of 0.4 (with a range of 0.58 to 0.95). They also introduced two major domains (physical and mental aspects) by factor analysis, which explained 65.9% dispersion among the questionnaire scales.

A demographic questionnaire was designed to gather women ̓s demographic data and personal information. The questionnaire was in accordance with research objectives and included the subject’s age, weight, height, number of children, frequency of childbirth, setting of birth, conditions of pregnancy, health status of the newborn, mode of childbirth, education, occupation, as well as husband's education, age, and occupation.

A permission was obtained from hospital authorities in order to perform the study. After describing the study objectives to the participants, their consents were obtained and they were asked to complete the questionnaire in cooperation with research administrators (who were taught how to complete the questionnaire).

Sampling was performed at all healthcare centers and hygiene stations, located in Hamadan city. Accordingly, mothers completed the demographic and quality of life questionnaires after they were trained and monitored by the authorities. The completed questionnaires were collected and evaluated each week. During the study period, the performance of research administrators was continuously monitored.

Mothers, who had experienced childbirth over the past year and were currently in perfect health, were included in the study. The exclusion criteria were as follows: 1) previous history of diabetes, connective tissue diseases, cardiac diseases, epileptic disorders, kidney problems, and other types of debilitating diseases; 2) psychological disorders such as depression, mania, and anxiety disorders, based on medical charts; 3) obstetric complications; 4) stressful events in recent months; 5) non-addiction to drugs; 6) preterm birth; 7)twins and multiple births; 8) being under infertility treatment; 9) undergoing tubectomy; and 10) childbirth experience within the past two years.

To analyze the data, the researchers used descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation, as well as inferential statistics such as independent t-test and analysis of variance. SPSS version 18 was used for data analysis.

Results

Overall, 2100 mothers participated in this study. They were divided into two groups of 1050 participants. The demographic characteristics of the study population are shown in Table 1. According to Table 2, the difference between natural delivery and caesarean groups was highly significant in terms of the mean score of quality of life in all periods. In fact, after vaginal delivery, the quality of life during the first week, second month, fourth month, sixth month, and twelfth month was significantly higher than that observed in caesarean delivery. In Figure 1, it can be clearly seen that the mean scores of quality of life for natural delivery are higher than those of c-section in all periods of the study.

Two-way analysis of variance was used to identify major interactive effects of variables including delivery mode and passage of time on mothers’ postnatal quality of life.

According to Table 3, the amount of the obtained Fwas1223.79; the significance level was less than 0.05 with the degree of freedom of 1 and 2090 (F _{(1 and 2090)}=1223.79, P=0.001). Thus, the difference between natural delivery and c-section groups was significant regarding the mean score of quality of life; with 95% confidence, it can be said that quality of life of mothers with natural delivery was higher than that of the c-section group.

According to eta-squared measurements, the effect rate was estimated at 37%. With regard to the factor of time, the obtained amount was 38.31; moreover, its significance level was less than 0.05, with a degree of freedom of4 and 2090 (F _{(4 and 2090)}=38.31, P=0.001). Thus, the difference in the mean scores of mothers’ quality of life was highly significant after delivery at different times. With 95% confidence, mothers’ quality of life gradually improved after delivery.

Considering the eta-squared measurements, the effect rate was 7% (Table 3). As shown in table 3, the calculated amount of F for interactive effects of mode of delivery and time factor was 11.87 (F _{(4 and 2090)}=11.87, P=0.001). Hence, the difference in the mean scores of mothers’ quality of life was interaction ally significant, considering the mode of childbirth and factor of time; with 95% confidence, it can be said that mothers’ quality of life gradually improved after natural delivery; the rate of interaction effect was estimated at 2%, according to eta square.

Discussion

The findings of the current research are in consistence with the results of studies carried out by Bahrami (16) and Lydon-Rochelleand colleagues (17). Various reasons can explicate the obtained results. One reason might be the pain mothers experience after both modes of delivery. Fabris (18) compared the pain of mothers who had undergone natural delivery or c-section. As he stated, individuals with vaginal delivery experienced acute pain for a short period of time.

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) considers childbirth pain as an unpleasant feeling and a stressful experience, caused by injuries to body tissues or the like. Chronic pains might take longer to recover, compared to particular types of injuries or illnesses. Melzac et al. (19) reported that 65-68% of mothers, who had a previous experience of vaginal delivery, described their pain as severe or acute. Moreover, 23% of mothers who had their first natural delivery and 11% of women with previous natural birth experiences described their pain as excruciating.

Pain of vaginal delivery may be caused by the contractions of myometrium against cervical and perineal resistance, incremental expansion of the cervix and lower parts of the uterus, and tension or pressure on the pelvis and perineum (20). Clement stated that the contraction of myometrium and perineum tear led to severe pain after delivery (21). This pain lasted up to three months for 11% of mothers. In addition, Nikolajsen et al. showed that 36% of mothers with vaginal delivery experienced severe pain a day after childbirth, whereas only 6% felt the same amount of pain a week after delivery (22).

 C-section is usually performed by making a semi-circular or horizontal cut on the skin and a small part of the womb. Lee & Lee (23) conducted a research to evaluate pain after caesarean surgery. The results showed that 12% of mothers, who underwent c-section, suffered from chronic pain, even18 months after delivery. On the other hand, the study performed by Kaur & Kaur (24) indicated that 67% of women, who complained of pelvic pain, had a previous c-section experience.