Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026
An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Clinical profile of persistent genito-pelvic postpartum pain
Jaclyn Cappell1, Caroline F Pukall1
1Department of Psychology, Queen's University, 62 Arch Street, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L 3N6.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE*: the primary aim was to describe the pain characteristics of persistent genito-pelvic postpartum pain (PPP) and compare these characteristics by mode of delivery. The secondary aim was to incorporate psychosocial variables into the conceptualization of PPP by exploring the relationship among postpartum depressive symptoms, fatigue, and PPP.
Design:
cross-sectional study design.
Setting:
online survey.
Participants:
106 women recruited from the community who gave birth within twelve months prior to completing the survey.
Measurements And Findings:
questionnaire regarding sociodemographic information, pregnancy and childbirth variables, depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and fatigue (Fatigue Symptom Checklist). Women who were ≥3 months postpartum and indicated they were still experiencing any genito-pelvic pain from childbirth were provided questions about their current pain experience. Twenty-seven (25.5%) women were between 3-12 months postpartum and currently experiencing PPP. The intensity of pain was mild, and had multiple locations and triggers. Compared to women whose acute pain resolved after childbirth, women with PPP were more likely to have had a Caesarean section (15.2% versus 33.3%). Other birth-related (i.e., epidural/spinal anesthesia use during vaginal birth) and psychosocial variables (income) also differentiated women with PPP from women whose gentio-pelvic pain resolved. Postpartum fatigue independently predicted PPP (Odds ratio = 4.7), while postpartum depressive symptoms did not.
Key Conclusions:
PPP was quite prevalent in this sample, and while the intensity of pain was on average, mild, the pain was widespread in terms of location and triggers. Multiple biopsychosocial factors differentiated women with persistent postpartum pain from those women whose pain resolved.
Implications For Practice:
PPP is a common health concern for new mothers in the first year postpartum, and may be best addressed by health care professionals using a multidimensional approach, which focuses on the psychosocial aspects of pain.
More Related Videos
07:20Intraoperative Detection of Subtle Endometriosis: A Novel Paradigm for Detection and Treatment of Pelvic Pain Associated with the Loss of Peritoneal Integrity
Published on: December 21, 2012
02:41Acupoint Catgut Embedding for Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain Due to the Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Published on: May 3, 2024
Related Concept Videos
01:25Analgesia and Pain Management
01:24Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
01:28Peptic Ulcer Disease III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Few clinical manifestations differentiate gastric ulcers from duodenal ulcers. Distinctions in the location, timing, and pain relief are crucial for healthcare providers in differentiating between gastric and duodenal ulcers during clinical assessments.
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:24Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
01:26Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations