The effect of stress ball use during caesarean delivery on maternal anxiety, postoperative pain, and breastfeeding success: a prospective, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study to evaluate the effects of utilizing a stress ball during cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia as a simple, non-pharmacological intervention on maternal anxiety, hemodynamic parameters, and lactation outcomes, in order to provide information f77or clinical practice. METHODS: Cases were randomly separated into two groups. cases in the intervention group were given stress balls and instructed to squeeze them continuously throughout the procedure, from 15 min before spinal anesthesia in the preoperative room until 15 min after newborn delivery. Demographic and surgical data, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, maternal anxiety and pain levels, lactation adequacy, milk adequacy, and supplemental feeding needs were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Maternal anxiety levels were lower in the stress ball group compared to the control group. Although there was no significant difference in postoperative pain levels, lactation success and perceived milk adequacy were higher in the stress ball group, and supplemental feeding needs were reduced; this highlights the positive effect of the intervention on early lactation outcomes. CONCLUSION: Although stress ball use did not have a significant effect on pain, we believe that its ability to reduce maternal anxiety may be a supportive, non-pharmacological method that benefits early breastfeeding success.