Effectiveness of Postpartum Care Using Thai Traditional Medicine at Kantharawichai Hospital.

Abstract

      This quasi-experimental study used a one-group pretest–posttest design. It aimed to  examine the effectiveness of postpartum care using Thai traditional medicine on body weight and waist circumference, and assess client satisfaction with the service at Kantharawichai Hospital. Forty postpartum women who received services between 1 October 2023 and 30 September 2024 and met the inclusion criteria were selected from 53 volunteers. Participants received a care program consisting of Thai massage, herbal compress, salt-pot heat application (tub mor kluea), herbal steam, and postpartum self-care advice, lasting 2 hours and 15 minutes per session for five consecutive days. Data were collected using a demographic record form, a body measurement record, a weighing scale, a measuring tape, and a satisfaction questionnaire, and were analyzed with frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and the paired t-test.

      Most participants delivered vaginally (95.0%), were aged 21–30 years (82.5%), and were primiparous (62.5%). After completing five care sessions, the proportion of participants weighing ≥70 kg decreased from 52.5% to 37.5%, and the proportion with a waist circumference >80 cm decreased from 97.5% to 70.0%. Mean body weight decreased from 70.90 kg (SD = 6.89) to 67.18 kg (SD = 6.76), a mean reduction of 3.72 kg (5.25% of baseline), and mean waist circumference decreased from 84.45 cm (SD = 2.51) to 82.30 cm (SD = 2.85), a mean reduction of 2.15 cm (2.55%). Both reductions were statistically significant (p < .001). Overall satisfaction with the service was at the highest level (M = 4.50, SD = 0.64). The highest-rated dimension was attentiveness, enthusiasm, and willingness to serve (M = 4.73, SD = 0.45), followed by courteous, respectful, and friendly service (M = 4.70, SD = 0.46) and clarity of useful advice (M = 4.56, SD = 0.50).