Women who have general anesthesia during C-sections are significantly more likely to experience postpartum depression resulting in hospitalization, suicidal thoughts, self-harm and anxiety, according to recent study. This may be because general anesthesia during C-section deliveries can delay skin-to-skin interaction or breastfeeding from mother to infant, and can cause more acute postpartum pain. Research published in Anesthesia and Analgesia suggests women who use general anesthesia during C-sections are more likely to experience postpartum depressionAround one in nine women experience PPD in the United States. Women who had general anesthesia during C-sections tended to be non-white, older and on Medicare or Medicaid. While researchers have not previously studied the connection between general anesthesia, C-sections and psychological outcomes, others have monitored the link between C-sections and PPD.

Source: Daily Mail February 08, 2020 14:34 UTC