Randomised controlled trial of midwife led debriefing to reduce maternal depression after operative childbirth.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of a midwife led debriefing session during the postpartum hospital stay in reducing the prevalence of maternal depression at six months postpartum among women giving birth by caesarean section, forceps, or vacuum extraction.


METHODS
Randomised controlled trial.


METHODS
Large maternity teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia.


METHODS
1041 women who had given birth by caesarean section (n= 624) or with the use of forceps (n= 353) or vacuum extraction (n= 64).


METHODS
Maternal depression (score >/=13 on the Edinburgh postnatal depression scale) and overall health status (comparison of mean scores on SF-36 subscales) measured by postal questionnaire at six months postpartum.


RESULTS
917 (88%) of the women recruited responded to the outcome questionnaire. More women allocated to debriefing scored as depressed six months after birth than women allocated to usual postpartum care (81 (17%) v 65 (14%)), although this difference was not significant (odds ratio=1.24, 95% confidence interval 0.87 to 1.77). They were also more likely to report that depression had been a problem for them since the birth, but the difference was not significant (123 (28%) v 94 (22%); odds ratio=1. 37, 1.00 to 1.86). Women allocated to debriefing had poorer health status on seven of the eight SF-36 subscales, although the difference was significant only for role functioning (emotional): mean scores 73.32 v 78.98, t= -2.31, 95% confidence interval -10.48 to -0.84).


CONCLUSIONS
Midwife led debriefing after operative birth is ineffective in reducing maternal morbidity at six months postpartum. The possibility that debriefing contributed to emotional health problems for some women cannot be excluded.
Small
R
R
Centre for the Study of Mothers' and Children's Health, School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Carlton Vic 3053, Australia. r.small@latrobe.edu.au
Lumley
J
J
Donohue
L
L
Potter
A
A
Waldenström
U
U
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000523:psychology*; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000379:methods*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D009721:Nurse Midwives; D009772:Obstetrical Forceps; D016017:Odds Ratio; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis