Effect of electric blanket warming after cesarean section on postpartum comfort, pain, milk quantity and breastfeeding success

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the effects of electric blanket heating after cesarean section on postpartum comfort, pain, milk quantity and breastfeeding success. Material and Method: This study was planned as a single-blind randomized post-test control group study. The study sample consisted of 78 women, 39 in each of the intervention and control groups. The research data were collected in a public hospital between November 2023 and March 2024. The mothers in the intervention group were placed in a bed heated with an electric blanket in the ward after the cesarean section. Data were collected at the 4th, 12th and 24th hours with the Postpartum Comfort Scale (DSKÖ), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Insufficient Milk Perception Scale, Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (BEDA), Physiological Parameters Monitoring Form and Bowel Movement Monitoring Form. On the 10th day, a Tool to Assess the Amount of Breast Milk Intake by the Baby (IMDAT) form was filled out. Kolmogorov Smirnov test, parametric tests, non-parametric tests, t test, Mann Whitney U analysis, variance analysis, and Friedman analysis for non-normally distributed measurements were used in data analysis. Results: In the intervention and control groups, it was determined that the difference in the mean scores of the Postpartum Comfort Scale (DSKÖ) at the 12th hour was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was determined that the difference in the mean Visual Anog Scala (VAS) pain scores of the mothers in the intervention and control groups at the 4th, 12th and 24th hours was statistically significant. The difference in the mean scores of the Bristol Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (BEDA) between the intervention and control groups at the 4th, 12th and 24th hours was statistically significant (p<0.05). It was determined that the mean IMDAT scores of the 10th day intervention group were higher. It was determined that the difference in the mean fevers of the intervention and control groups at the 4th hour was statistically significant. It was determined that the bowel movement audible time and the time of gas release were shorter in the intervention group. It was determined that the difference in the mean scores of the insufficient milk perception scale was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusions: It was determined that heating with an electric blanket after cesarean section did not affect postpartum comfort, reduced pain, increased milk supply and breastfeeding success, and accordingly reduced newborn weight loss in the first 24 hours, shortened the time to hear bowel sounds and rectal gas removal. It was concluded that it had no effect on physiological parameters such as Systolic Pressure (SB), Diastolic Pressure (DB) and pulse, and increased oxygen saturation in the intervention group at the 12th and 24th hours. Keywords: Caesarean, electric blanket, comfort, pain, nursing, breastfeeding