Effect of Breathing Exercises on Lung Functions in Postpartum Mothers with Normal Vaginal Delivery

Aim: To compare the effect of breathing exercises on lung functions in post partum mothers with normal vaginal delivery.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of breathing exercises on lung function in postpartum mothers with normal vaginal delivery & to compare the effect of breathing exercises with control group in postpartum mothers with normal vaginal delivery.

Methodology: In this experimental study 30 females with normal vaginal delivery were screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria & explained the procedure in detail then consent was obtained from all the subjects. After this all the subjects, were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group A, as control group, had 15 subjects and Group B; the experimental group had 15 subjects. Common exercises given to both the groups A & B were: Kegel's exercises, back and abdominal exercises with progression, ergonomic advice which included postural correction and baby care. Whereas group B in addition was undergone various breathing exercises for total 8 weeks out of which 1st week exercise training was under supervision and rest of the 7 weeks, a home exercise program was followed. Participants of each group undergone 3 PFT. 1st on 1st day of 1st week, 2nd on last day of 4th week, 3rd on last day of 8th week. The readings were noted and compared with the previous readings.

Result: Significant improvement is seen in group B than group A. FVC showed 14.86% improvement (p=0.001), FEV1 showed 17.2% improvement (p=0.000), PEFR showed 17.73% improvement (p=0.001). FEF25-75% showed more improvement in group A than group B (p=0.542).

Conclusion: As per the results and discussion we can conclude that there is significant change in the lung functions (FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEF25-75%, FEV1/FVC) in postpartum mothers after breathing exercises.