2026 SOAP Annual Meeting

Background

•Anxiolytics historically withheld until delivery

•Current data show no significant impact on neonatal outcomes

•Patient anxiety often not assessed

•Potential gap in patient-centered care

Objective

•Assess patient reported anxiety related to neuraxial anesthesia and cesarean delivery

•Determine what proportion of patient would have desired anxiolytic medication if offered

Hypothesis

•Many patients experience significant anxiety and would opt for anxiolysis if given the choice

Methods

•IRB approved

•Inclusion Criteria

•Postpartum patients

•12-48 hrs after CD w/ neuraxial in OR

•Electronic REDCap Survey (iPad)

•Exclusion Criteria

•<18 years old

•Non-English speaking

•Received anxiolytic meds

•100 patients enrolled

Results

•941 screened > 180 approached > 100 enrolled

Median Anxiety Scores (0-10)

•Cesarean delivery: 6 [3-8]

•Neuraxial: 5 [3-7]

Anxiolysis offering

•50%: not offered

•31%: unsure if offered

Patient Preferences

•45% would decline if memory impaired

•69% would decline if neonatal risk increased

•17% would have wanted anxiolysis

Key findings

•Patients experience meaningful anxiety during CD w/ neuraxial anesthesia

•A subset would prefer anxiolysis

•Many patients unsure if anxiolysis was even offered

Clinical Implications

•Gap in shared decision making

•Patient autonomy necessitates discussion

Take-Home Message

•Not all patients want anxiolysis, but some do

•Routine discussion of risks and benefits

Future Directions

•Evaluate impact of anxiolysis on:

•Maternal experience

•Neonatal outcomes

•Develop standardized counseling approaches

2026 SOAP Annual Meeting

A Survey Study to Assess Patient Opinions of Anxiolysis Prior to Neuraxial Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery

Poster Presenter

Authors

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