Does getting the labor pain relief you expect change postpartum depression risk?
Maternal Expectations on Labor Analgesia and Risk of Postpartum Depression: An Observational Study
We will see if women whose expectations about labor pain relief are met during a planned vaginal birth are less likely to have postpartum depression.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 3640 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Padova Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Padova, Veneto) |
| Trial ID | NCT07292649 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will enroll pregnant women over 18 planning vaginal delivery at the University Hospital of Padova who provide informed consent. Participants' expectations about labor analgesia will be recorded before delivery and the actual analgesia received (epidural, spinal, or none) will be documented. Researchers will follow participants after birth to compare the incidence of postpartum depression between those whose analgesia expectations were met versus unmet, excluding women with known psychiatric disorders or Caesarean delivery. The study aims to identify whether unmet expectations around labor pain management are associated with higher postpartum depression rates.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant women over 18 planning a vaginal delivery at the Padova center who can give informed consent and have no known major psychiatric history.
Not a fit: Women who have a planned or unplanned Cesarean delivery, have prior psychiatric diagnoses, contraindications to neuraxial analgesia, or language barriers are unlikely to benefit from or be eligible for this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If a link is found, the results could help clinicians better counsel and manage labor pain to reduce the risk of postpartum depression.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies exploring labor pain, analgesia, and postpartum mood have produced mixed results, so this question is not yet settled.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Signed informed consent * Planned vaginal delivery (spontaneous or induced) * Pregnancy * Age \> 18 years Exclusion Criteria: * Allergy to local anesthetics * Language barrier * Contraindications to labor analgesia * Delivery by Cesarean section * Known history of psychiatric disorders (including major depression)
Where this trial is running
Padova, Veneto
- University Hospital of Padova — Padova, Veneto, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Fabrizia Calabrese, MD
- Email: fabrizia.calabrese@aopd.veneto.it
- Phone: +39 0498213090
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.