Observational studyPloS one2023
Association between the use of epidural analgesia during labour and incidence of postpartum depression.
Observational study in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Influence of Neuraxial Anesthesia Technique During Vaginal and Cesarean Delivery and Association with Postpartum Depression: A Narrative Review of Literature.Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment · 2026Review
- Labor analgesia in India: A study on awareness, utilization, and perceptions among pregnant women.Journal of education and health promotion · 2026Article
- The experience of manual removal of placenta in women with retained placenta: a qualitative study.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2025Article
- The Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Depression Among Saudi Arabian Women-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Review
- Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionPostpartum depression is a significant episode of depression beginning after giving birth. The prevalence of postpartum depression is approximately 20% in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Epidural analgesia is the gold standard for labour pain management. Conflicting results exist regarding the association between postpartum depression and epidural analgesia use during labour. Accordingly, this study assessed the association between epidural analgesia use and postpartum depression incidence.
methodsA prospective observational study of 170 mothers was conducted, with surveys administered after labour and at six weeks postpartum. Surveys included the following: mothers' demographics, obstetric history, postpartum depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and pain severity (Visual Analogue Scale).
resultsIn the final analysis, 91 patients were enrolled. Epidural analgesia was administered to 48.4% of mothers during labour. Nearly two-thirds of mothers learned about EA via sources including family members and social media. However, more than half reported worries regarding epidural analgesia. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores showed that 38 mothers (41.8%) likely had depressive symptoms within two days following delivery. Further, 35 (38.5%) met criteria for postpartum depression at six weeks postpartum. For both groups regardless use of analgesia, the mean Visual Analogue Scale score at two days postpartum was 4.16 ± 2.13. Data revealed no correlation between epidural analgesia use and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale within two days and at six weeks postpartum. Multiple regression analysis showed Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores correlated with Visual Analogue Scale scores but not epidural analgesia use at 1-2 days postpartum.
conclusionThis study showed that depressive symptoms resolved in three percent of participants. This suggests that institutions should increase postpartum depression awareness during the antenatal period and implement effective post-delivery screening systems for postpartum depression.
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