Episiotomy-related perineal pain and breastfeeding self-efficacy among postpartum mothers

Introduction: episiotomy-related perineal pain may significantly impact breastfeeding self-efficacy, influencing new mothers' ability to successfully initiate and maintain breastfeeding. the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between mpq-sf and postpartum bses-sf scores. methods: this descriptive study was conducted at a maternity hospital in istanbul and involved 208 volunteer mothers who had undergone an episiotomy during childbirth. data were collected using a “participant information form,” the “mcgill pain questionnaire-short form,” the “postpartum breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form,” and the “visual analogue scale.” the data were analyzed using a statistical program, with significance set at p-value < 0.05. results: the average age of the mothers was 27.29 ± 5.88 years, with 44.7% experiencing their first childbirth. severe perineal pain was reported by 9.1% of the mothers, and 35.6% indicated that this pain affected their ability to breastfeed. a significant relationship was found between perineal pain and both the mcgill pain questionnaire score and breastfeeding self-efficacy score (p-value < 0.05). additionally, there was a negative correlation between postpartum mcgill pain questionnaire scores and postpartum breastfeeding self-efficacy scores (p-value < 0.05). conclusion: postpartum perineal pain affected mothers' breastfeeding self-efficacy. it is recommended to take measures to reduce perineal pain that negatively affects mothers' breastfeeding. keywords: breastfeeding; episiotomy; perineal pain; postpartum; self-sufficiency