Measurement and characteristics of post - cesarean section pain and the relationship to limitation of physical activities *

Objectives: To measure and characterize post cesarean section pain and to verify its relationship with limitations of physical activities. Methods: Descriptive study with 60 women in the post-operative period of cesarean section. Pain was measured with both the Numeric Scale and the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Limitations of physical activities were measured with a specific instrument developed for the study. Results: Sitting down and stranding up were the physical activities with the highest pain scores. All participants reported that the pain limited their movements for sitting down and standing up and characterized the pain as “annoying”, “grasping” and “straining.” Conclusion: Post cesarean section pain was rated as moderate. The pain led to limitations of physical activities for sitting down, standing up, and walking.