Coffee after spinal anesthesia for cesarean to reduce headache

The Effect of Postoperative Coffee Consumption on Postdural Puncture Headache and Analgesic Use in Women Undergoing Cesarean Section With Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Hacettepe University · NCT07410741

This trial tests whether drinking coffee after a cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia can reduce postdural puncture headache and the need for pain medicines in women.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment82 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorHacettepe University (other)
Locations1 site (Ankara, Ankara)
Trial IDNCT07410741 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Researchers at Hacettepe University will enroll women having cesarean delivery with spinal (spinal) anesthesia and offer postoperative oral coffee beginning at six hours after surgery. Participants who consume coffee will be compared with those who do not on rates of postdural puncture headache and postoperative analgesic use. Headache occurrence, severity, and pain medication consumption will be recorded in the postoperative period. The goal is to find a simple, low-cost, noninvasive approach that might reduce PDPH and decrease reliance on invasive treatments like epidural blood patching.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Women aged 18 or older undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia who can read and communicate in Turkish, start oral intake six hours after surgery, and tolerate coffee are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic headache disorders, emergency cesarean, conversion to general anesthesia, delayed postoperative oral intake, high-risk pregnancy, postoperative smoking, or intolerance to caffeine are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a simple, low-cost way to reduce postdural puncture headaches and lower the need for stronger pain medicines or invasive procedures.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior reports suggest caffeine can relieve PDPH through cerebral vasoconstriction, but results have been mixed and no definitive prevention approach has been established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Ability to read, understand, and communicate in Turkish
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Undergoing cesarean section under spinal anesthesia
* Spinal anesthesia administered in the sitting position
* Initiation of oral intake at postoperative hour 6
* No history of physiological discomfort related to coffee consumption based on prior experience (e.g., insomnia, palpitations, headache)
* Ability to understand the study procedures and communicate adequately to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing emergency cesarean section
* Patients with a history of migraine or other types of chronic headache disorders
* Patients in whom spinal anesthesia was converted to general anesthesia.
* Patients whose oral intake was postponed for any reason in the postoperative period.
* Patients with high-risk pregnancies.
* Use of caffeine-containing analgesic medications during the postoperative period.
* Postoperative cigarette smoking.

Where this trial is running

Ankara, Ankara

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Postdural Puncture Headache, Post-Dural Puncture Headache, spinal anesthesia, caffeine, cesarean section, coffee

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.