Prediction of Post-Cesarean Section Pain

Prediction of Post-Cesarean Section Pain

The purpose of this study is to determine if dynamic psychophysical testing along with genetic screening will allow to identify pre-operatively women who will suffer severe acute pain post-operatively and the subset who may experience chronic pain following cesarean section.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women age 18-50 scheduled for an elective cesarean section (1st or 2nd cesarean section)

Exclusion Criteria:

Women who:

• have taken opioids, acetaminophen, or NSAIDs 48 hrs prior to psychophysical testing
• have had more than two previous cesarean sections
• have a vertical abdominal incision from a prior cesarean section
• are non-English speaking
• have mental health issues
• have a failure of spinal anesthetic and require conversion to general anesthesia
• have a vertical uterine incision performed during ongoing cesarean section
• have a previous vertical uterine scar discovered during ongoing cesarean section