Cellphone Access for Lowered Maternal Anxiety and Stress in Cesarean Sections

Overview

This study looks at whether allowing mothers to use their personal cellphone during a planned cesarean section (C-section) under spinal anesthesia can reduce stress and anxiety and improve their overall birth experience. During a cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, the mother is awake, which can sometimes cause feelings of anxiety or stress. Women taking part in this study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will be allowed to use their cellphone freely during the surgery, while the other group will follow the usual hospital practice, which does not allow cellphone use in the operating room. All medical care, anesthesia, and surgical procedures will be exactly the same for both groups. The study will measure mothers' anxiety levels before surgery, during the operation, and within 24 hours after delivery using simple questionnaires. Mothers will also be asked about their satisfaction with their birth experience. In addition, the study will assess stress levels of a close family member (such as a partner) shortly after the delivery. Participation in this study is voluntary and involves minimal risk. Allowing or not allowing cellphone use does not affect medical care in any way, and participants may withdraw at any time without any impact on their treatment. The results of this study may help hospitals improve patient-centered care and make cesarean deliveries a calmer and more positive experience for mothers and their families.

Cesarean section performed under regional (spinal) anesthesia allows the mother to remain awake throughout the procedure, which can be associated with heightened anxiety, stress, and feelings of loss of control. While medical and surgical outcomes of cesarean delivery have been extensively studied, less attention has been given to modifiable, non-pharmacologic factors that may improve the psychological experience of the mother during surgery. Personal mobile phones are an integral part of daily life and serve as a means of emotional support, reassurance, and connection. Allowing mothers to use their cellphones during cesarean section-such as communicating with family members, or engaging in video calls-may help reduce intraoperative anxiety and enhance maternal satisfaction. Despite this, many operating rooms maintain strict policies prohibiting cellphone use, largely based on tradition rather than evidence regarding patient-centered outcomes. The CALMAS-CS Trial is a prospective, randomized, parallel-group study designed to evaluate the psychological impact of unrestricted personal cellphone use during elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. Participants are randomly assigned to either an intervention group, in which personal cellphone use is permitted throughout the procedure, or a control group, which follows standard operating room policy prohibiting cellphone use. All participants receive identical surgical, anesthetic, and perioperative care; the only difference between groups is access to personal cellphone use during surgery. Maternal anxiety is assessed at predefined perioperative timepoints using validated instruments, including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a visual analogue scale for anxiety. Maternal satisfaction with the cesarean experience is evaluated postoperatively using a structured questionnaire. In addition, the study explores the psychological impact on next of kin by assessing their stress levels and perceived involvement when remote communication during surgery is permitted. This trial focuses on a low-risk, non-pharmacologic intervention that does not interfere with standard medical care. By systematically evaluating the psychological effects of cellphone access during cesarean delivery, the study aims to generate evidence that may inform future institutional policies and contribute to more patient-centered obstetric care. The findings may have implications for improving maternal experience, family engagement, and overall satisfaction with planned cesarean delivery.