Mindfulness to Reduce Post-Cesarean Pain and Prevent Postpartum Depression (MaMiDaPP)

Academic mentor: Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo

Community partner: Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

Project description: 
Postpartum pain and postpartum depression (PPD) are common maternal complications and significant public health concerns that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities. Latinas experience higher rates of PPD than non-Hispanic Whites due to elevated psychosocial stressors (e.g., acculturative stress) and structural (e.g., poverty and discrimination) risk factors. Latinas report higher postpartum pain severity than non-Hispanic Whites. Cesarean delivery (CD) is used by 1 in 3 women, and recent estimates show that rates have increased among Latinas compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The CD is associated with an elevated risk of PPD and long-term pain. Protocols for treating post-CD pain include prescription and over-the-counter analgesics. Despite the need for and benefits of pain medication, women across races and ethnicities who deliver by CD prefer to endure pain than take medication, including oral analgesics that may prevent PPD. However, there are limited evidence-based, non-pharmacologic treatments, such as mindfulness, to reduce post-CD pain and prevent PPD. Mindfulness-based interventions reduce pain and prevent depression. Self-guided mindfulness-based interventions are effective, practical, and appealing to Latina mothers. Mobile, self-guided, mindfulness-based interventions address barriers to screening and treatment for postpartum pain and PPD, including costs, stigma, and challenges traveling with an infant.

To address gaps in the field, first, we will survey 120 English- and Spanish-speaking Latinas who had a planned CD in the past 12 months and who were at risk for PPD to gather information to inform a mindfulness intervention. Women will be recruited at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District. The next study phase will be a single-group open trial pilot test of a mobile, self-guided 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intervention with 20 English- and Spanish-speaking Latinas to assess its feasibility and acceptability.

We seek a motivated student interested in ensuring Latina mothers' emotional and physical well-being in the US. 

Role of the Community-Academic Scholar:
The Community-Academic Scholar will assist with recruitment, enrollment, data management, and other study aspects. They will attend regular team meetings, help recruit participants at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (after completing the required human subjects training), help manage the data, and have the opportunity to help with manuscript development and data analysis.