HealthMedical XpressKetamine during or after C-sections may ease early postpartum depression symptoms, new study suggests
A new study suggests giving ketamine during or after a C-section may modestly reduce early postpartum depression symptoms in the first two weeks after birth.
Ketamine, a medication used in operating rooms for anesthesia and pain control, may offer another benefit for some new mothers: easing early symptoms of postpartum depression after cesarean delivery (C-section), according to a study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 annual meeting.
A meta-analysis of six trials involving 1,832 women found ketamine given during or after a C-section was linked to lower early postpartum depression symptom scores.
The study found a small-to-moderate but statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms measured between three and fourteen days after surgery.
Researchers say the findings are promising but larger studies with longer follow-up are needed before ketamine could be recommended routinely for this purpose.
Researchers say it is too early to recommend routine use, but women planning a C-section could ask their anaesthetist about the emerging evidence at their next appointment.
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