Narrative Nursing for Cesarean Mothers' Anxiety and Breastfeeding Confidence (NCT07272252) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Narrative Nursing for Cesarean Mothers' Anxiety and Breastfeeding Confidence
China160 participantsStarted 2025-10-01
Plain-language summary
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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 50 Years
Sex
FEMALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. 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
Exclusion criteria
. Severe psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, active suicidal ideation)
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.