Discussion
low back pain, urinary incontinence, fatigue, pain
SECONDARY, URINARY INCONTINENCE
This trial is a secondary analysis of the RCT that was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of face-to-face physiotherapy education and training on post-operative outcomes of women following CS, such as post-operative pain, doses of additional analgesics required, pain upon returning to functional activities, and lengths of hospital stay [Other studies conducted similarly have shown that post-natal physiotherapy exercises given during the immediate post-partum period help improve the QOL by enhancing physical, and general well-being [In the current trial, we implemented a 10-minute face-to-face structured physiotherapy education program as the intervention prior to the elective CS. Here, the primary focus was to enhance physical health-related outcomes of post-natal QOL including bodily pain, energy levels, fatigue, and physical symptoms such as post-partum urinary incontinence and low back pain [To the best of our knowledge, this is the first RCT conducted in an LMIC to assess the effectiveness of physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS to improve post-natal QOL. In the context of the current economic crisis, this simple and practical approach may assist in reducing the burden on the healthcare system in addition to improving other outcomes.Health authorities should take the initiative to include physiotherapy education and training in their post-natal care protocols in all settings. Cost-effectiveness, staff allocation, and other logistics should be explored to make pre-operative and post-operative physiotherapy programs sustainable in LMIC settings.