LAUSR

Abstract Background With regards to the high prevalence of afterpains and side effects of increasing the analgesics used for mothers and their newborn health. Aim The present study aimed to assess the effect of uterine massage and emptying of the urinary bladder on the alleviation of afterpains among mothers in the immediate postpartum period. Method In the quasi-experimental study design, 88 mothers were selected through a purposive sample with a mild to severe level of afterpains chosen from the postpartum ward of Zagazig University Hospitals,Egypt. Data were collected through a structured interview questionnaire sheet and visual analog pain scale. The study sample received a fundus massage and regular emptying of the urinary bladder every hour after birth. The initial outcome (afterpains) was assessed using a 10-point visual analog pain scale, every hour of childbirth until discharge from the hospital. Results Less than half of the mothers were in the age group of 19-25 years with the mean age was 22.34 ± 0.99 years. Afterpains level before the intervention, 20.4% and 33% of mothers experienced mild and severe pain, respectively. While after the intervention, 48.9% and 19.3% of them had mild and severe pain, respectively. Pain intensity was a statistically significant difference between pre and post the pain relief intervention (X2 = 22.7 & P = 0.012). Moreover, the mean score was 2.13 ± 0.72 and 1.83 ± 0.73 in pre and post-intervention, respectively, with a significant difference after intervention at P Nurses play a vital role in promoting safe and effective non-pharmacological procedures by training and encouraging mothers to practice and apply them as an alternative to analgesics that used to reduce afterpains in the early postpartum period.