Sammanfattning
Introduction: Accelerated recovery programmes have proven to be beneficial for a number of patient groups undergoing surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of introducing the accelerated recovery programme for women who gave birth by caesarean section as regards physical capability, physical and psychological well-being and capability to breast-feeding and care for their newborn. Materials and methods: The study was conducted as an intervention study, and outcomes were measured before and after the implementation of the accelerated recovery programme with a two-month follow-up. Two hundred women entered the study consecutively and were allocated to either the intervention group or the reference group. Data were collected using structured interview guides, self-administered questionnaires and information obtained from the patient record. Results: The average length of hospitalisation fell from 6.2 days to 4.7 days and from 5.9 days to 5.0 days for planned and acute caesarean section, respectively. The pain treatment was more effective and the women gained the ability to take full care of their newborns much faster in the intervention group without any negative consequences for breast-feeding and without increased need for health services after discharge. Discussion: An accelerated recovery program can advantageously be introduced for both planned and acute caesarean section.