Occupational Therapy’s Role in Enhancing Functional Outcomes for Women Recovering from Cesarean Sections

• Emily Gill, OTS
• Tania Shearon, DHSc, OTR/L, C-IAYT

Learner Outcomes:

1. Describe the physical, emotional, and psychosocial challenges experienced by women following cesarean delivery and their influence on engagement in daily occupations.
2. Understand how to educate medical staff on occupational therapy’s role in enhancing functional recovery outcomes among postpartum women recovering from cesarean sections in the acute care setting.
3. Apply evidence-based rehabilitation interventions that promote well-being and optimize functional recovery outcomes for postpartum women recovering from cesarean sections in the acute care setting.

Abstract:

Cesarean births are one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States, accounting for approximately 1 in 3 births. Currently the standard of care for this population consists of a two-day hospital stay followed by a single six-week follow-up visit. During their hospital stay, they are seen and treated by obstetricians, postpartum nurses, and lactation specialists. In most hospitals, people who undergo a general abdominal surgery receive standard referral orders for occupational and physical therapy services. However, women status-post cesarean section rarely receive these standard referral orders, despite a cesarean delivery being a major abdominal surgery that impacts multiple body systems. This gap exists despite evidence highlighting the lived recovery experiences of these women. Approximately 80% report pain that interferes with daily activities, including sleeping, bathing, and dressing, and many face challenges with breastfeeding that can disrupt early maternal-infant bonding. Women recovering from cesarean sections are also at a higher risk for hospital readmission due to hemorrhage, infection, preeclampsia, or cardiovascular complications. These findings highlight the vital role occupational therapy can play in supporting recovery experiences, enhancing functional outcomes, and reducing complications for women after cesarean delivery during their acute postpartum stay.

Biography:

Emily Gill is a third year doctoral occupational therapy student at A.T. Still University completing her capstone at Banner Gateway, focusing on education, programing, and referrals for women after c-section.

References to support evidence-based practice

1. Abd-ElGawad, M., Said Ali, A., Abdelmonem, M., Elshamy, N. H., Abdeltawab, A. K., Abd El-Shafea, M., Rund, N. M. A., Fadlalmola, H. A., Ashour, A. S. A., & Almohamady, M. (2021). The effectiveness of the abdominal binder in relieving pain after cesarean delivery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics: The Official Organ ofthe International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, 154(1), 7–16. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.13607
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2023, November). FAQ: Cesarean birth (C-section). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/cesarean-birth
3. Sega, A., Cozart, A., Cruz, A. O., & Reyes, F. B. (2021). “I felt like I was left on my own”: A mixed‐methods analysis of maternal experiences of cesarean birth and mental distress in the United States. Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care, 48(3), 319–327. https://doi.org/10.1111/birt.12541
4. Segraves, R. L., Croghan, A., Coreas, M., Locati, E., & Finley, R. N. (2023). Initiating occupational and physical therapy in the hospital after birth: Access, reimbursement, and outcomes. Journal of Women’s &Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, 47(1), 26–35. https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.0000000000000262
5. Segraves, J., & Segraves, R. (2024, November 20). Critical rehab needs for acute postpartum patients [Video]. Postnatal Pelvic Health Virtual Conference.