LABOUR ANALGESIA AND THE RISK OF POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

Abstract

The aim: To find association between postpostpartum depression incidence and mode of labour analgesia. Materials and methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted at the Kyiv City Maternity Hospital №5 (from March 2020 to May 2021). Using google-form and face-to-face interviews, 321 women completed Childbirth Experience Questionnaire on the 2- 3-rd day in the postpartum period. After the first survey, only 35% of women agreed to screen for postpartum depression (PPD) by Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Univariate logistic regression method was used to assess the risk relation between PPD and factors. Results: Women who used nitrous oxide (50:50) and non-pharmacological methods of labour analgesia were associated with the decreased risk of PPD (p = 0,044), OR = 2.83 (95% CI 1,03–7,79), compared to women with patient-control epidural analgesia. On the other hand, there are factors which do not have impact on the risk of depressive symptoms, such as age (p = 0,266); parity (p = 0,713); mode of delivery (p=0,959); pain intensity (p=0,931). Conclusions: Our findings confirmed the association between nitrous oxide and the alternative methods of labour analgesia usage and decreased risk of development PPD.