Postoperative pain after Caesarean Section

Caesarean section frequently causes moderate to severe discomfort during the first 48 hours. Delay in ambulation prolonged hospital stays postpartum depression and persistent pain have all been linked to poor pain management. This study determined the current pain status and management of such pain following caesarean section at Livingstone Central Hospital in Livingstone District of Southern Province.A mixed approach was adopted by combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Participants were selected using simple random sampling and each participant was interviewed only once using a pre-tested questionnaire.The interviews revealed that the current pain status was very high with moderate pain being the highest at 77 percent. Despite non-medicine methods being effective in pain management most patients were never (67%) encouraged to use the methods by their doctors at the health facility. The management of pain after caesarean section at Livingstone Central hospital is inadequate. Effective pain management can be achieved with proper engagement of the patient and also through the use of Non-medicine methods.