An observational study in Postpartum Depression (PPD), Labor Analgesia and Expectations, sponsored by University of Padova. Recruiting at 1 site in Italy. Open to female participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-29.
Sponsored by University of Padova · Observational
Postpartum Depression (PPD) is defined as the development of depression at any time during the first year after childbirth¹. Its prevalence ranges from 15% to 20%. It can manifest with symptoms such as depressed mood, loss of interest and energy, insomnia, anxiety, and may even lead to suicidal ideation. The consequences are numerous, both physical and psychological, with long-term repercussions on the mother-infant bond, family dysfunction, and the development of emotional and cognitive disorders in children. The etiology of PPD is multifactorial, but numerous recent studies have focused on the role of labor pain and its management with labor analgesia techniques. The aim of the present study is therefore to assess whether there is a difference in the incidence of PPD between parturients whose expectations regarding labor analgesia were met ('expectations met' group) versus those whose expectations were unmet.
The study population consists of patients undergoing a spontaneous or induced vaginal delivery, regardless of whether they request epidural analgesia.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants whose prenatal intention regarding labor analgesia matched what they received (includes Intention Yes/Received Yes and Intention No/Received No).
Procedure: Epidural analgesia · Procedure: Spinal analgesia for labour pain · Other: No neuraxial analgesia
Participants whose prenatal intention did not match the analgesia actually received (includes Intention Yes/Received No and Intention No/Received Yes).
Procedure: Epidural analgesia · Procedure: Spinal analgesia for labour pain · Other: No neuraxial analgesia
Analgesia via epidural catheter using local anesthetic ± opioid, administered on patient request during labor.
Single-shot spinal analgesia
Patients did not received spinal or epidural labour analgesia
incidence of postpartum depression
To assess whether there is a statistically significant difference in the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD), defined as an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 10 at 6 months postpartum, between parturients whose expectations regarding labor analgesia were met ('expectations met' group) versus those whose expectations were unmet.
Time frame: 6 months since labour
Early depressive symptoms
To assess whether there is a statistically significant difference in the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD), defined as an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score ≥ 10 at 6 months postpartum, between parturients whose expectations regarding labor analgesia were met ('expectations met' group) versus those whose expectations were unmet.
Time frame: from 24 to 48 hours since labour
Effect of Analgesia Within Expectations-Unmet Group
To compare the incidence of postpartum depression (EPDS ≥ 10 at 6 months) within the "Expectations unmet" group, stratified by actual receipt of neuraxial labor analgesia (epidural or spinal) versus no neuraxial analgesia
Time frame: six months since labour
Pain Intensity and Maternal Expectations
To assess the association between intrapartum pain intensity (measured by Visual Analog Scale, VAS) and group allocation ("Expectations met" vs "Expectations unmet").
Time frame: At delivery/birth
Plan to share: No
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University of Padova