Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41002005›Full record

ArticleBirth (Berkeley, Calif.)2026

The Role of Support and Communication on Postpartum Pain: A Qualitative Analysis of Patient Experiences.

Julia D DiTosto, Tazim Merchant, Karolina Leziak, Lynn M Yee, Nevert Badreldin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Julia D DiTostoDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Tazim MerchantDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Karolina LeziakDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Lynn M YeeDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Nevert BadreldinDivision of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Funding

Clinician perspectives on the postpartum pain experience and attitudes about pain managementR03HD112103 · NICHD · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY AT CHICAGO · PI BADRELDIN, NEVERT · 2022 to 2022
$254k
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNICHD NIH HHS R03 HD112103
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPostpartum pain, a common symptom after a cesarean birth, is influenced by psychosocial factors. This exploratory qualitative study examined patient perspectives on social support and healthcare communication behaviors in the postpartum setting in relation to the pain experience.

methodsIn-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews about postpartum pain experiences were conducted 2-3 days and 2-6 weeks postpartum with individuals who underwent a cesarean birth (2020-2021). Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method.

resultsAmong 49 postpartum individuals, themes related to social support and healthcare communication were identified in relation to postpartum pain. Participants discussed the impact of non-healthcare social support (e.g., partners, extended family, other children) on postpartum pain, highlighting emotional and practical assistance. Most commonly mentioned were the positive impacts of emotional and logistical support with household activities and childcare on postpartum pain recovery. The second theme covered individuals' views on how healthcare support and communication affected postpartum pain, with themes of both positive and negative experiences. Some participants discussed positive experiences of shared decision-making and responsiveness of the healthcare team, whereas others recounted negative experiences of lack of counseling and poor outpatient communication. DISCUSSION: Social support and healthcare communication are integral influences on pain recovery after a cesarean birth. These findings highlight the need for interventions to address psychosocial support and healthcare team communication in the immediate postpartum period.

Indexed as

Cesarean SectionCommunicationPostoperative PainPostpartum PeriodSocial SupportAdultFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicPregnancyQualitative Research

Identifiers

PMID41002005
PMCPMC13156657

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.