Readiness for hospital discharge after a cesarean section and associated factors among Chinese mothers: a cross-sectional study

Background: Cesarean section increases the risk of adverse physical and psychological conditions in mothers and infants. It is important to comprehensively evaluate the readiness for hospital discharge of mothers and identify the limitations of their preparation. Methods: This study enrolled 357 mothers who underwent cesarean section. The data were collected from September 2020 to March 2021 using a face-to-face survey. We evaluated demographic and obstetric factors, readiness for hospital discharge, quality for discharge teaching, social support, family function, and parenting sense of competence. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify independent characteristics that influence bedtime procrastination among junior college nursing students. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify independent characteristics that influence readiness for hospital discharge among mothers. Results: : The total score of the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale-New Mother Form was 136.69 ± 25.25. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the quality of discharge teaching and parenting sense of competence, number of cesareans, family function, the status of the pregnant women school attendance, and intraoperative pain degree were independent factors influencing the readiness for hospital discharge ( P  < 0.05). Conclusion: The readiness for hospital discharge of mothers with cesarean section was in the middle level. Improving quality of discharge teaching, parenting sense of competence, and family function will help improve the readiness for hospital discharge of mothers with cesarean section. Relevance to Clinical Practice: Mothers with cesarean section and their families face postpartum difficulties after discharge. Prenatal empowerment and postpartum care can better improve maternal and child health. Patient or Public Contribution: Mothers with cesarean section completed the validated questionnaires in this study. Obstetricians gave exact diagnostic criteria for postpartum complications. Nurses actively cooperated in the process of data collection, and gave professional views on the interpretation of research results.