Effectiveness of a Seat Cushion for Reducing Perineal Pain in Postpartum Mothers at Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital
Keywords:
Postpartum Mother, Perineal Wound, Postpartum Seat Cushion, Non-Pharmacological Pain ManagementAbstract
Perineal pain is an important postpartum problem because it causes discomfort during sitting, movement, and breastfeeding. A pressure-relieving device is therefore a relevant non-pharmacological nursing approach for postpartum care. This quasi-experimental study aimed to compare perineal pain levels in postpartum mothers before and during use of a seat cushion, and to assess maternal satisfaction. The sample consisted of 40 postpartum mothers who underwent vaginal delivery with episiotomy and were admitted to the Chalermphrabarami 3-4 special ward, Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital, between August and December 2025. A purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. Research instruments included a polyester-filled PVC seat cushion with a central oval opening, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for pain assessment, and a 7-item Likert-scale satisfaction questionnaire. All instruments were validated by three experts (Content Validity Index: NRS = 1.00, satisfaction questionnaire = .93) and the satisfaction questionnaire demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach's Alpha = .89). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-test.
Results showed that perineal pain scores during seat cushion use were significantly lower than before use across all five activities (p < .00). The greatest reduction was observed during breastfeeding in a sitting position (pre: M=7.08, SD.=2.35; during: M=2.13, SD.=1.84), followed by getting out of bed (pre: M=7.00, SD.=1.97; during: M=2.98, SD.=1.91). Overall maternal satisfaction was at the highest level (M=4.73, SD.=.55). These findings indicate that seat cushion is effective in reducing perineal pain and enhancing comfort during breastfeeding and daily activities. Its integration into postpartum nursing care is recommended to improve the quality of maternal recovery.
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