<![CDATA[Caesarean section is a major surgical procedure that commonly results in postoperative pain and may delay maternal recovery. Early mobilisation is a nonpharmacological strategy intended to support functional recovery and potentially reduce pain intensity. This study examined the association between mobilisation timing and pain reduction among mothers after caesarean section at Eduardo Ximenes Regional Hospital, Baucau, Timor-Leste. A cross-sectional correlational design was used. Sixty-eight post-caesarean mothers were recruited through quota sampling from April 7 to June 23, 2025. Early mobilisation was defined as initiation of gradual physical activity within 4 to <10 hours after surgery, while delayed mobilisation occurred within 10 to <24 hours. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale before and after mobilisation. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test were applied. Most participants initiated mobilisation early (89.7%), and 97.1% experienced pain reduction. Pain reduction occurred in 60 of 61 mothers (98.4%) in the early-mobilisation group and 6 of 7 mothers (85.7%) in the delayed group. However, the association between mobilisation timing and pain reduction was not statistically significant (p = 0.197). Maternal age and parity were also not significantly associated with mobilisation timing or pain reduction. All participants received analgesia, and the delayed-mobilisation group was small; therefore, the observed difference should be interpreted cautiously and not causally. These findings suggest that early mobilisation may be incorporated as one component of post-caesarean recovery care, while pain outcomes should be interpreted alongside concurrent analgesic, clinical, and psychosocial factors.]]>
