Determining the relationship between remifentanil analgesia and postpartum depression and childbirth experience in women referred to Taleghani Educational and Medical Center, Tabriz

Abstract

Abstract Background: Pain is a risk factor for postpartum depression. This study aimed to determine the relationship between remifentanil analgesia and postpartum depression, as well as the birth experience in Iranian women. Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted on 200 mothers who underwent vaginal birth at Taleghani Hospital in Tabriz, Iran, in 2023-2024. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire were used to assess the outcomes. To compare the childbirth experience and postpartum depression between the exposure group (receiving remifentanil) and the non-exposure group, independent t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U tests were employed, respectively. Results: The mean postpartum depression score in the remifentanil analgesia group was statistically significantly lower than in the non-analgesia group (p= 0.002). The mean total childbirth experience score in the exposure group was statistically significantly higher than in the non-exposure group (p< 0.001). Additionally, a comparison of the subdomains of childbirth experience between the two groups revealed that the mean scores for own capacity (p< 0.001), perceived safety (p< 0.001), and participation (p< 0.001) were statistically significantly higher in the remifentanil group compared to the non-analgesia group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the professional support subdomain (p= 0.434). Based on the Spearman test, no statistically significant correlation was found between childbirth experience and postpartum depression in either the remifentanil analgesia or non-analgesia groups (p> 0.05). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of using remifentanil analgesia as a potential option for preventing postpartum depression and creating a positive childbirth experience. It is recommended that clinical trials be conducted to obtain more precise findings.