Preventing Mood, Anxiety, and Trauma Symptoms After Cesarean Delivery
This study will look at whether a one-time session can help you prepare for delivery, reduce concerns about giving birth, and improve perinatal mood, anxiety, and trauma symptoms (PMATS).
Why this Research Matters
Mental health symptoms are some of the most common concerns during pregnancy and after giving birth. If these symptoms are not treated, they can affect both you and your baby. You may have emotional or physical health problems, miss work, or have money stress. These symptoms can also make it harder to bond with your baby and may increase your child’s risk of having mental health concerns later in life. In rare cases, untreated mental health can lead to thoughts of self-harm or causing harm to your baby. Researchers want to learn more about how to decrease and prevent these symptoms in people with high-risk pregnancies.
What to Expect
You will first be approached by a study team member to find out if you qualify for the study and if you are interested in participating. To qualify, you must be pregnant (22-37 weeks), admitted to the hospital for at least three days, and planning on having a cesarean delivery at the University of Colorado Hospital Anschutz campus. If you decide to join, you will be placed in 1 of 3 study groups. Two groups will take part in a one-hour session with one or more medical professionals to help prepare for your delivery, while one group will not take part in this session. You will be assigned to a group by chance, like flipping a coin. During the 1-hour session, you will learn more about the hospital and what to expect during your delivery. This session should take place about 1 week after you join the study. You may choose to have a support person go to the session with you. If they do, they will also join the study as a secondary participant. The research team will work with you to schedule the session at a time that fits your schedule. You will be asked to complete questionnaires about your mental health, your thoughts and feelings about your delivery, and information about yourself and your health. You will complete these questionnaires when you join the study, about 3 days after the session, about 3 weeks after delivery, and 12 weeks after delivery. All study groups will be asked to complete questionnaires.
Study Duration
The first set of questionnaires will take about 15 to 30 minutes, and the following questionnaires will take 5-10 minutes only. You will be in the study for about 13 to 16 weeks.
Who can Participate
You may be eligible to join this study if you are currently pregnant, have been admitted to the hospital for 3 days or longer because of problems with your pregnancy or your baby’s growth, and have a planned cesarean delivery.
Study ID
Protocol Number: 23-2499
Compensation Information
Meet the Team
Principal Investigator