Cognitive behavioral intervention to ease anxiety for women with high-risk pregnancies undergoing cesarean deliveries

Feasibility and Limited Efficacy Trial of a Cognitive Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Procedural Anxiety Among Woman With High Risk Pregnancies With Scheduled Cesarean Deliveries

Not applicable Interventional University of Colorado, Denver · NCT04203082

This study is testing a short therapy program to help women with high-risk pregnancies feel less anxious before and after their cesarean deliveries.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexFemale
SponsorUniversity of Colorado, Denver Academic / other
Locations4 sites (Aurora, Colorado and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04203082 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a brief cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to reduce preoperative and postoperative anxiety in women with high-risk pregnancies scheduled for cesarean deliveries. Participants will receive psychoeducation and exposure therapy, which includes a walkthrough of the cesarean delivery process in a simulated operating room environment. The study will assess anxiety levels and satisfaction with the delivery process during immediate and extended postpartum periods. By addressing anxiety, the study seeks to improve maternal satisfaction and reduce complications associated with high levels of stress.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are women with high-risk pregnancies due to fetal complications who are scheduled for a cesarean delivery.

Not a fit: Patients who are planning to deliver at a hospital outside of the study locations will not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce anxiety and improve satisfaction for women undergoing cesarean deliveries due to high-risk pregnancies.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that cognitive-behavioral interventions can effectively reduce anxiety in surgical patients, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Fetal Anomaly/Complication
* Planned Cesarean Delivery

Exclusion Criteria:

* Delivery planned at outside hospital

Where this trial is running

Aurora, Colorado and 3 other locations

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.
Conditions Procedural AnxietyHigh Risk PregnancyFetal Complicationscesarean
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.