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Cited by 7Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumAnesthesia and Pain ManagementMaternal and Perinatal Health Interventions

Association between the use of epidural analgesia during labour and incidence of postpartum depression

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Ahmad, Hanin Mohammed Yaqoob, Althagafi, Lama Adnan, Albluwe, Ghazal Zuhair, Kadi, Shahd Mohammed, Alhassani, Relam Ibrahim, Bahkali, Nedaa Mohammed·2023·PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0289595PMC PMC10617733
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Abstract

Introduction: Postpartum 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. Methods: A 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). Results: In 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. Conclusion: This 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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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Ahmad, H. M. Y., Althagafi, L. A., Albluwe, G. Z., Kadi, S. M., Alhassani, R. I., & Bahkali, N. M.
Affiliations
King Abdulaziz University (SA)
Corresponding author
Ahmad, Hanin Mohammed Yaqoob
ORCID
Venue
PLOS ONE
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Published
2023-10-31
Volume
18
Issue
10
Pages
e0289595
ISSN
1932-6203 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0289595
PMC
PMC10617733
OpenAlex
W4388041496
Cited by
7
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 1
FWCI
1.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • PLoS ONE (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Anesthesia and Pain Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Obstetrics and Gynecology › Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions
Keywords
epidural analgesia, postpartum depression, labor analgesia, postpartum pain, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, postpartum depression screening, maternal mental health, Saudi Arabia
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Labor, Obstetric, Pain, Pregnancy, Analgesia, Epidural, Incidence, Analgesia, Obstetrical, Depression, Postpartum, Pain Management

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