Mindfulness-Based Support for Postpartum Pain and Emotional Well-Being

Academic Mentor | Sandraluz Lara-Cinisomo
Community Partner | Champaign Urbana Public Health Department

Project Description
Postpartum pain and postpartum depression are common maternal health challenges that pose significant public health concerns. Women who give birth by cesarean delivery are at particularly high risk for these complications. Pain following cesarean birth is often treated with a combination of prescription and over-the-counter medications, but concerns about medication side effects, especially the use of opioids, lead some women to limit or avoid pain treatment altogether. Inadequate pain management may, in turn, negatively affect emotional well-being and recovery during the postpartum period.

Despite these challenges, there are relatively few well-studied, non-medication approaches available to support postpartum pain management and reduce the risk of postpartum depression. Mindfulness-based interventions have shown promise for improving pain coping and emotional health, but their feasibility and effectiveness in the postpartum cesarean population remain underexplored.

This project is part of an ongoing study testing an eight-week mindfulness-based intervention designed for women with planned cesarean deliveries. The intervention is delivered remotely and can be completed from home using a smartphone, tablet, or computer, making it accessible during the early postpartum period. The study examines participant engagement, feasibility, and potential benefits related to pain management and emotional well-being.

Working in collaboration with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department, this project aims to strengthen community-engaged approaches to postpartum care and expand evidence-based, non-pharmacological options to support maternal recovery after cesarean birth.

Role of the Community-Academic Scholar:
The Community-Academic Scholar will be a key member of the research team and will be involved in multiple stages of this maternal health study. The scholar will assist with participant recruitment and enrollment, working closely with the project team and community partners to identify and engage eligible participants.

The scholar will have direct contact with prospective participants and community partners on a regular basis. Responsibilities will include tracking participant enrollment and engagement, supporting communication related to study participation, and assisting with data management activities. All participant interactions will follow approved research protocols to ensure ethical engagement and confidentiality.

In addition to participant-facing work, the scholar will contribute to literature reviews related to postpartum pain, postpartum depression, and mindfulness-based interventions. The scholar will also support organization and management of study data and assist with summarizing findings for internal research use.

Through this role, the scholar will gain hands-on experience in community-engaged public health research, maternal health studies, and applied research coordination. The position provides exposure to real-world research processes, interdisciplinary collaboration, and non-pharmacological approaches to improving postpartum health and well-being.