Ketamine Administration During or After C-Section May Ease Postpartum Depression

A new meta-analysis found that ketamine or esketamine given during or immediately after cesarean delivery (C-section) was associated with a statistically significant reduction in early postpartum depressive symptoms, according to a news release.¹

Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, is used in operating rooms for anesthesia and pain control and is also known for rapid antidepressant effects in psychiatric settings. Esketamine is a ketamine derivative.

C-sections have been associated with a higher risk of postpartum depressive symptoms, which prompted the researchers to explore whether medications used during surgery could reduce symptom burden in the postpartum period.¹

The authors reviewed 6 randomized controlled trials published from January 2015 through September 2025, which included 1832 women undergoing elective C-sections. Participants received ketamine or esketamine during or after surgery and were compared with those who received neither medication.¹

Depressive symptoms were measured with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), a screening questionnaire, between postoperative days 3 and 14. Women who received ketamine or esketamine had a small-to-moderate reduction in EPDS scores compared with those who did not (standardized mean difference: -0.36), which was statistically significant.¹

"Ketamine is known for its rapid antidepressant effects in psychiatric settings, and our findings suggest it may offer benefits beyond anesthesia and pain relief for women having a C-section," said Peter Hsin, lead author of the study, in a press release.

Hsin cautioned it is too early to say ketamine prevents clinically diagnosed postpartum depression or should be used routinely. He said larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to determine the best dose and timing, and whether ketamine can help prevent postpartum depression.

Rose Berkun, MD, FASA, said the team plans a prospective, randomized study in the university's Department of Anesthesiology. The study will evaluate whether ketamine administered during cesarean delivery reduces the incidence and severity of postpartum depression.

References

1. Ketamine during or after C-sections may ease postpartum depression symptoms, new study suggests. Press release. October 17, 2026. Accessed October 17, 2026. https://www.newswise.com/articles/ketamine-during-or-after-c-sections-may-ease-early-postpartum-depression-symptoms-new-study-suggests

2. Siu S, Hsin P, Simon S, et al. Effect of perioperative ketamine on early postpartum depressive symptoms following cesarean section: a meta-analysis. Cureus. 2026;18(4):e107180.