Ketamine administration during C-sections may reduce early postpartum depression symptoms

A meta-analysis of six randomized trials involving 1,832 women suggests that administering ketamine or esketamine during or immediately after a C-section may reduce early postpartum depressive symptoms. The findings, presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ ANESTHESIOLOGY 2026 meeting, showed that women receiving these medications had lower depression screening scores via the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale between three and 14 days after delivery.

While the results indicate a small to moderate improvement in symptoms during the first two weeks after birth, researchers noted that this does not establish a method for preventing clinically diagnosed postpartum depression. The study, led by Peter Hsin of Florida International University’s Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, highlights that while ketamine is already used for anesthesia and pain relief, its potential mental health benefits warrant further investigation.

Larger studies are required to determine optimal dosing and timing, and to confirm whether these early improvements translate into a reduction of long-term, severe postpartum depression, which often manifests four to eight weeks after delivery.