HEADACHE AFTER EPIDURAL ANESTHESIA IN PREGNANT WOMEN AND ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate the clinical results of epidural procedures on headaches in pregnant women and their overall quality of life. The research utilized a cross-sectional design and collected clinical data from pregnant women aged between 25 and 40 years. The study specifically examined the outcomes related to headaches both before and after undergoing surgical procedures with epidural anesthesia. The investigation encompassed various aspects, including preoperative headaches, migraines, headaches during pregnancy, headaches within 60 hours of delivery, and headaches at six weeks post-surgery. To measure the severity of postoperative headaches, the researchers employed the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), which ranges from 0 to 10. A score of 0 represents no pain, while a score of 10 indicates severe pain. Furthermore, this study also evaluated the quality of life of pregnant women who underwent the operation.

A comprehensive study was carried out in Iraq to assess the impact of epidural anesthesia on pregnant women, as well as the intensity of postpartum headaches and the overall well-being of these individuals. The participants of this study were specifically limited to women between the ages of 25 and 40, who were then categorized into two groups based on their delivery method (37 [35.24%] underwent a Caesarean section, while 68 [64.76%] had a vaginal delivery).