Evaluation Of Postpartum Maternal Functioning Following Ayurvedic Sutika Paricharya Using The Barkin Index - A Prospective Cohort Study

The postpartum period is crucial for maternal health, where proper care can significantly impact recovery and long-term wellbeing. Ayurvedic Sutika Paricharya is a traditional postpartum care practice that has been used for generations, but its effectiveness has not been adequately studied using modern assessment methods. This cohort study aims to compare maternal recovery between women who follow Ayurvedic Sutika Paricharya and those who do not.The study will include 70 postpartum women divided into two groups of 35 each. One group will follow traditional Ayurvedic Sutika Paricharya practices, while the other group will not follow these traditional practices and will receive routine postpartum care. Maternal functioning will be measured using the Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning, which evaluates how well mothers are managing their daily activities, caring for their babies, and coping emotionally after childbirth. Assessment will be conducted at two time points: during 1st week post partum and at 6 weeks post partum. This will help track how maternal functioning changes over time in both groups. Statistical analysis will be performed to compare differences between the two groups and examine improvements within each group over the study period.

The study expects that women following Ayurvedic Sutika Paricharya will show better maternal functioning scores compared to those not following these practices. The results will provide evidence about whether traditional Ayurvedic postpartum care methods are beneficial for maternal recovery, which could help improve postpartum care approaches for new mothers.