The Relationship Between Early Mobilization and Wound Healing After Caesarean Section in the Postpartum Ward of Sultan Suriansyah Hospital Banjarmasin

Abstract

Background: The rate of cesarean section (CS) births shows a continuous upward trend worldwide, including in Indonesia. One of the main challenges following CS is the risk of postoperative complications, particularly problems related to surgical wound recovery. Early mobilization is recognized as an effective strategy to support faster wound healing. Nevertheless, its application is frequently limited because many post-cesarean mothers experience pain and anxiety about moving after surgery. Objective: This study sought to examine the association between early mobilization practices and the wound healing process in mothers who underwent cesarean delivery at the Postpartum Ward of Sultan Suriansyah Regional Hospital, Banjarmasin. Methods: An observational analytical study with a quantitative cross-sectional design was conducted. The study involved 90 post-cesarean mothers who were recruited using accidental sampling. Data collection was carried out through direct observation of early mobilization activities and assessment of wound healing using the REEDA scoring system. Statistical analysis employed the Spearman Rank correlation test with a significance level set at 95% (α = 0.05). Results: The findings revealed that the majority of participants demonstrated adequate early mobilization behavior (92.2%), accompanied by favorable wound healing outcomes (91.1%). Correlation analysis showed a very strong and statistically significant relationship between early mobilization and postoperative wound healing in cesarean mothers (r = -0.935; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Early mobilization is strongly and significantly associated with improved wound healing following cesarean section. Mothers who engage more actively in early mobilization tend to experience better recovery of surgical wounds. Therefore, early mobilization should be emphasized and consistently implemented as a standard component of postpartum nursing care to enhance recovery after cesarean delivery.