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World J Psychiatry. Aug 19, 2026; 16(8): 117791
Published online Aug 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.117791
Published online Aug 19, 2026. doi: 10.5498/wjp.117791
Effect non-invasive low forceps delivery on pelvic floor muscle strength and postpartum depression in singleton full-term pregnant women
Ya-Jun Zhong, Xiao-Yan Zhang, Yun Shi, Xuan Chen, Dong-Dong Jin, Ya-Ying Huang, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital (Suzhou Ninth Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University), Suzhou 215200, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: Zhong YJ and Huang YY contributed to research and write a manuscript, analysis and provided guidance for the research; Zhang XY, Shi Y, Chen X, and Jin DD contributed to conceiving the research and analyzing data. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by the 2023 Academy Level Research Start up Fund Project, No. YK202313.
Institutional review board statement: This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital (Suzhou Ninth Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University).
Informed consent statement: All study participants, or their legal guardian, provided informed written consent prior to study enrollment.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Data sharing statement: No additional data are available.
Corresponding author: Ya-Ying Huang, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital (Suzhou Ninth Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University), No. 2666 Ludang Road, Taihu New Town, Wujiang District, Suzhou 215200, Jiangsu Province, China.
Received: February 27, 2026
Revised: March 30, 2026
Accepted: May 7, 2026
Published online: August 19, 2026
Processing time: 145 Days and 9.1 Hours
Revised: March 30, 2026
Accepted: May 7, 2026
Published online: August 19, 2026
Processing time: 145 Days and 9.1 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Traditional low forceps-assisted delivery requires episiotomy, which may negatively affect childbirth experience and recovery of postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength, potentially contributing to postpartum depressive symptoms. This study highlights that non-invasive low forceps-assisted delivery facilitates the recovery of postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength and helps alleviate postpartum depressive symptoms compared with traditional low forceps-assisted delivery with episiotomy.