Effect of lower leg compression application during Cesarean Section- on women's physiological parameters and neonatal outcome.

Background: Cesarean delivery is one of the most commonly performed operations all over the world. Spinal anesthesia is frequently accompanied by significant perinatal complications. Spinal-induced hypotension is a remarkably prevalent clinical issue attributed to spinal anesthesia. Consequently, numerous non-pharmacological techniques have been explored for its management and prevention. Leg compression therapy is a simple, effective, and non-pharmacological technique that can be used to improve women's physiological parameters and neonatal outcomes. Objective: to determine the effect of lower leg compression application during the cesarean section on women's physiological parameters and neonatal outcome. Study design: A nonrandomized controlled clinical trial, was followed in this study. Settings: research was carried out in the Damanhour Educational Hospital's cesarean birth room in Elbehira, Egypt. Subjects: A convenient sample of 100 women who meet inclusion criteria were selected from the previously mentioned setting. The sample was divided into two equal groups (50 control group and 50 study group). Tools: to collect data three tools were employed, tool I: Socio-demographic, general, and reproductive history interview schedule, tool II: Maternal physiological parameters and related signs assessment sheet and Tool III: Neonatal outcome assessment sheet. Results: Regarding women's physiological parameters, there was a highly statistically significant difference between the two groups concerning heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure. Study and control groups exhibited a highly statistically significant difference regarding the incidence of hypotension (14%, and 58% respectively). In addition, there was a highly statistically significant difference in both groups considering oxygen saturation, APGAR score in 1st & 5th minute, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion: Lower leg compression with elastic stocking during cesarean section is a simple, non-pharmacological, and more effective approach to improve women's physiological parameters and newborn outcomes. Recommendations: leg compression application throughout cesarean section needs to be included in policies and regulations of maternity hospitals to improve women's physiological parameters and neonatal outcomes.