Assessment of Maternal Satisfaction and Neonatal Results in Elective Caesarean Deliveries Using Spinal Anesthesia

Abstract

Background: Maternal satisfaction and early neonatal adaptation are key indicators of obstetric anesthesia quality, particularly in elective cesarean delivery where spinal anesthesia is widely preferred for its analgesic efficacy, maternal consciousness, and limited neonatal drug exposure. Objective: To assess maternal satisfaction and neonatal outcomes among women undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia at a district-level hospital. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was conducted at DHQ Hospital Gahkuch, Gilgit-Baltistan, over four months, enrolling 93 ASA II women scheduled for elective cesarean section using consecutive sampling. Maternal satisfaction was measured 12–24 hours postoperatively using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire covering preoperative information, intraoperative comfort, postoperative pain control, anesthesia team support, and overall experience. Neonatal outcomes were assessed using APGAR scores at 1, 5, and 7 minutes. Data were analyzed in SPSS v27 using descriptive statistics with proportions and 95% confidence intervals; exploratory associations with overall satisfaction were assessed using logistic regression. Results: Overall satisfaction (agree/strongly agree that the experience was positive) was 88.2% (82/93). Adequate preoperative information was reported by 89.2% (83/93), intraoperative comfort by 82.8% (77/93), and pain management meeting expectations by 72.0% (67/93). Neonatal outcomes were favorable, with predominant APGAR scores improving from 8 at 1 minute (73.1%) to 9 at 5 minutes (89.2%) and 10 at 7 minutes (96.8%). Conclusion: Spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean section was associated with high maternal satisfaction and favorable early neonatal adaptation; strengthening perioperative communication and postoperative analgesia may further enhance patient experience.