Narrative Nursing for Cesarean Mothers' Anxiety and Breastfeeding Confidence

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Postpartum Anxiety, Postpartum Depression (PPD), Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy, Cesarean Section Wound

In brief

This study tests whether a nurse-led "4-step narrative nursing" program can reduce anxiety and improve breastfeeding confidence in mothers who are having a planned or non-emergency cesarean section. What is the problem? About 30-40% of Chinese cesarean mothers feel high anxiety after surgery, and 1 in 5 is at risk for postpartum depression. Low confidence in breastfeeding is also common. What will we do? We will randomly assign 160 mothers (1:1) to either: Usual care - standard education and ward care, or Usual care plus narrative nursing - four short (10-20 min) conversations with a trained nurse: Before surgery - help the mother talk about her fears. 24-48 h after surgery - encourage her to "name" pain or worries and separate them from herself. Before discharge - guide her to find positive moments and build a "strong-mom" story. Two weeks later by phone - strengthen the new story and review feeding success. What will we measure? Main result: anxiety score at 48 h (STAI scale). Other results: depression risk, breastfeeding confidence, pain, and feeding rates up to 3 months. Possible benefits: Lower anxiety, better mood, higher breastfeeding rates. No drugs or extra procedures are involved, only talking. Risks: Minimal; some mothers may feel emotional during conversations, but nurses can pause or refer to counselling if needed.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07272252

Run by

Xi Huang

People needed

160

Starts

2025-10-01

Expected to finish

2026-03-01

Last updated by the study team

2025-12-18

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 50. Sex: female. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Women aged 18-50 years
• Scheduled for elective or non-emergency cesarean section at ≥37 weeks
• Able to communicate in Mandarin and provide written informed consent
• Expected hospital stay ≥24 h
• Singleton pregnancy with stable maternal and neonatal condition allowing routine mother-baby contact

You may not qualify if…

• Severe psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, active suicidal ideation)
• Maternal or neonatal need for ICU/NICU admission
• Emergency cesarean section preventing baseline assessment
• Communication or cognitive impairment precluding interview

Where it is running

• Yilong County Maternal and Child Health Hospital — Nanchong, Sichuan, China (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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