Postpartum Recovery

This prospective observational cohort study aims to evaluate the association between postpartum recovery quality and mother-infant bonding in women undergoing vaginal delivery. Postpartum recovery quality will be assessed using the Obstetric Quality of Recovery-10 (ObsQoR-10) questionnaire, and mother-infant bonding will be evaluated using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ). Participants will be grouped according to routine clinical labor analgesia preference: women receiving labor epidural analgesia and women not receiving epidural analgesia. Additional assessments will include postpartum pain intensity, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and birth satisfaction. Baseline psychological assessments will be performed before delivery. The primary postpartum evaluation will be conducted between 6 and 24 hours after delivery. Exploratory follow-up assessments will be performed by telephone during postpartum week 2. The study aims to better understand the relationship between labor analgesia, postpartum recovery, and early mother-infant bonding outcomes after vaginal delivery.

Racial and ethnic disparities in obstetric anesthesia care remains persistent despite studies documenting its existence and calling for action. The goal of this study is to share disparity data with underserved minority groups being admitted to the labor and delivery unit for obstetric care, to reduce mistrust and misconceptions regarding obstetric anesthesia care, and to bridge the cultural gap between patient beliefs and safe anesthetic care and to empower patients through transparency and provide them with the information necessary to make informed decisions about their care, to improve health literacy, and to ultimately improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.