The Relationship Between Diet and the Healing Process of Post-Cesarean Section Wounds in Postpartum Women
Keywords:
Cesarean Section, Dietary Patterns, Postpartum Mothers, REEDA Scale, Wound HealingAbstract
The postpartum period is a time of recovery that requires optimal nutritional support, especially for mothers who have undergone a cesarean section (CS), as the surgical wound healing process is greatly influenced by adequate nutrient intake. An unbalanced diet can slow tissue regeneration and increase the risk of wound complications. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between dietary patterns and the post-Cesarean section wound healing process in postpartum mothers at the Kotamobagu City General Hospital. The study employed an observational analytical design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 40 postpartum mothers who had undergone a Cesarean section, selected using purposive sampling. Dietary patterns were assessed using a questionnaire covering meal frequency and the adequacy of protein, vitamin, and mineral intake, while the wound healing process was evaluated using the REEDA Scale. Data analysis was performed using univariate and bivariate analyses with the Spearman’s Rho test at a 95% significance level. The results showed that the majority of respondents had good dietary patterns (42.5%) and wound healing in the “good” category (47.5%). Bivariate analysis revealed a significant association between dietary patterns and the wound healing process following a cesarean section (p=0.005; r=0.432), indicating a positive correlation of moderate strength. These findings suggest that the better a postpartum mother’s dietary pattern, the more optimal the wound healing process achieved. Nutrition education during the antenatal and postpartum periods needs to be strengthened as part of evidence-based midwifery care to accelerate a mother’s recovery following a cesarean section.
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