The effect and mechanism of oxytocin nasal spray on postpartum depression in primipara

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to investigate the effect and possible mechanism of oxytocin (OT) intranasal on depression after cesarean section in primipara. A total of 188 puerperae who underwent first cesarean section operation under spinal anesthesia in our hospital from February 2021 to February 2022 were selected and divided into two groups according to 1:1 by random number table method, the control group (group C) and the Oxytocin group (group O), 94 cases in each group. Group C was given nasal saline after delivery. Group O was immediately given 24IU of oxytocin nasal spray. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) was used to evaluate the depression status of patients at 1 day before delivery (T0), 3 days after delivery (T1), 5 days (T2) and 6 weeks (T3), while using ELISA The serum corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and cortisol levels were detected at T0, T1, T2 and T3. Arrhythmias, nasal irritation, and tears were recorded after the intervention. Compared with group C, the incidence of postpartum depression, EPDS score, CRF and cortisol concentration in group O at T1 and T2 were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with T0, EPDS score, CRF and cortisol concentration of patients in 2 groups were significantly increased at T1, T2 and T3, with statistical significance (P <0.05). There was no arrhythmia, nasal irritation or tearing after intervention in both groups. The use of oxytocin nasal spray after delivery of the fetus during cesarean section can reduce depressive symptoms at 3 and 5 days postpartum, serum CRF and cortisol concentrations in first-time mothers without increasing the incidence of adverse reactions.