Ketamine Around Cesarean Delivery Linked to Fewer Early Postpartum Depression Symptoms
A meta-analysis of six randomized trials with 1,832 women found that giving ketamine or esketamine during or just after a cesarean section was linked to a statistically significant decrease in depressive symptoms in the first two weeks after delivery. The lead author noted that ketamine is known to lift mood quickly in psychiatric settings and said the findings are promising, but warned it is too soon to conclude that the drug prevents clinically diagnosed postpartum depression or should be used routinely. Postpartum depression occurs in about one in five women after childbirth, and cesarean delivery has been tied to a higher risk of such symptoms.
The analysis pooled six randomized controlled trials published between January 2015 and September 2025, covering 1,832 women having elective cesarean deliveries. Participants received ketamine or its derivative esketamine during or soon after surgery, and researchers compared their Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale scores with those of women who received neither drug.
Scores were measured three to 14 days after surgery. The pooled result showed a small-to-moderate, statistically significant symptom reduction (standardized mean difference −0.36). The authors caution that dose, timing, and whether the approach prevents diagnosed postpartum depression remain unresolved; a prospective randomized trial is planned at the University at Buffalo.
If confirmed, this finding could affect how clinicians discuss pain and mood care around cesarean delivery, potentially offering some new mothers earlier symptom relief during a vulnerable recovery period. Families and infants might benefit indirectly if maternal depressive symptoms ease, though the evidence does not yet support routine use. Women considering C-sections may encounter more questions about ketamine, but decisions may remain individualized until larger, longer trials clarify benefits, risks, dosing, and whether clinically diagnosed postpartum depression is actually prevented.