Preoperative Pain Education Reduces Postoperative Pain and Postpartum Depression After Cesarean

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative pain not only causes physical discomfort for patients but may also adversely affect their rehabilitation. This study aimed to explore the effect of preoperative pain education on postoperative pain and postpartum depression after elective cesarean section. METHODS: A total of 160 women scheduled for elective cesarean section were divided into the control group and education group (80 cases in each ). The control group received routine preoperative guidance, while the education group received preoperative pain education on the basis of routine preoperative guidance. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed. Analgesics demand, time to first ambulation, and drug-related adverse reactions were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: The visual analog scale (VAS) scores in the education group at 24 hours after operation were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P <0.05). In addition, the consumption of postoperative analgesic drugs was reduced (57.8±4.5 vs. 60.2±4.7 µg, P =0.001). The time to first ambulation was earlier in the education group (4.0±0.6 vs. 4.5±0.7 h, P =0.000), and the incidence of postpartum depression was significantly decreased (2 vs. 10, odds ratio: 0.179 [95% CI: 0.038-0.847], P =0.016). DISCUSSION: This study showed that preoperative pain education could not only effectively relieve the pain after cesarean section, reduce the use of analgesic drugs, promote early ambulation, but also reduce the incidence of postpartum depression (Registration number: ChiCTR2400090909).