The role of central nervous system sensitization in obstetric pain: A focused review
Authors' conclusion
Addressing these gaps through rigorously designed peripartum studies is essential for developing targeted, mechanism-based strategies to prevent and treat obstetric pain.
Study context
- Outcome
- Obstetric pain conditions in which sensitization has been implicated
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain, labor pain and persistent postpartum pain after vaginal delivery, persistent perineal pain, and chronic postcesarean pain
Further findings
Psychological factors
- Anxiety, depression, pain catastrophizing, and fear of childbirth, as potential active modulators of central pain processing rather than merely coexisting conditions
Key evidence gaps
- Absence of obstetric-specific validation for clinical assessment tools such as the Central Sensitization Inventory, and limited prospective data linking intraprocedural nociception to postprocedural pain sensitization
Original publication
The role of central nervous system sensitization in obstetric pain: A focused review. Int J Obstet Anesth. Published 2 November 2026. doi:10.
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