Pain and adverse effects after caesarean delivery: A nationwide prospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
In Denmark, severe pain after caesarean delivery affects more than half the patients within the first 24 h, peaking at 12 h. Additionally, most report moderate or severe opioid-related adverse effects.
Study context
- Population
- Patients having elective caesarean delivery, all Danish maternity hospitals, 6-month period 2023–202419 of 22 hospitals
- Participants
- 738 patients
- Outcome
- Pain on mobilisation (NRS 0 to 10) at 24 h, and opioid-related adverse events (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, pruritus, urinary retention) within 24 h
- Follow-up
- 24 h
Methodological detailsnationwide, multicentre, Patient-reported outcomes via text message questionnaires at 6, 12, 18, 24, 48 h and days 7 and 30
- Nationwide
- Multicentre
- Patient-reported outcomes via text message questionnaires at 6, 12, 18, 24, 48 h and days 7 and 30
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Pain during mobilisation at 24 h; opioid-related adverse effects within 24 h
Median [IQR] pain during mobilisation at 24 h, Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
5
3 to 6
Opioid-related adverse effects within first 24 h
55%
95% CI 51 to 59
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Peak pain during mobilisation · 12 h
- Pain peaked at 12 h, NRS (median [IQR])
- 6 [5 to 8]
Severe pain (NRS ≥ 7) · within the first 24 h
- Reported severe pain
- 59% (95% CI 55 to 63)
Oral morphine equivalents (OME) · within the first 24 h
- Median [IQR] OME, mg
- 30 [20 to 50]
Time course of adverse effects
- Adverse effects peaked 6 h postoperatively; pruritus most common
Original publication
Pain and adverse effects after caesarean delivery: A nationwide prospective cohort study. Eur J Anaesthesiol. Published 22 September 2025. doi:10.
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