Relation between Position and Feeling of Labor Pain in Active Phase of Labor

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women’s Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

3 Resident of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

Introduction: Majority of women is worried about labor pain during pregnancy and it leads to their interest in cesarean section. Today, different medical and non-medical treatments are used to decrease labor pain. This research was conducted to investigate the effect of different positions on the intensity of labor pain in women who were in active phase of labor.
Methods: This clinical trial was done on 400 women who were selected by purposive sampling method and were in the active phase of labor. First a questionnaire was filled for them based on demographic characteristic and then they were requested to sit down and sleep in supine position intermittently every15 minutes. Severity of pain in abdomen and back was determined by pain scale and recorded data was analyzed by SPSS 11 software and student t-test and Chi-square test.
Results: In most of women back pain and abdominal pain was lower in sitting position and by changing position from sitting to supine, intensity of pain sensation increased.Significant relation was observed between back pain and abdominal pain in active phase (p=0.000).
Conclusion: Sitting position can decrease pain sensation in back and abdomen and therefore, change in severity of pain from severe to moderate and moderate to mild in active phase of labor.

Keywords

References

1. Aya  AG, Vialles N ,Mangin  R , Robert C, Ferrer JM,  Ripart J, et al. Chronobiology of labour pain  perception: an observational study. Br J Anaesth 2004 Sep;93(3):451­3.
2. Chao AS, Chao A, Wang TH, Chang YC, Peng HH, Chang SD, et al. Pain relief by applying 
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on acupuncture points during the first stage of labor: a 
randomized double­blind placebo­controlled trial. Pain 2007 Feb;127(3):214­20.
3. Davim RM, Torres  Gde  V, Melo ES. Non­pharmacological strategies  on  pain relief during labor: pretesting
of an instrument. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem 2007 Nov­Dec;15(6):1150­6.
4. Kimber L, McNabb M, Mc Court C, Haines A, Brocklehurst P. Massage or music for pain relief in labour: A pilot randomised placebo controlled trial. Eur J Pain. 2008 Nov;12(8):961­9.
5. Chen SZ, Aisaka K, Mori H, Kigawa T. Effects of sitting position on uterine activity during labor. Obstet
Gynecol 1987 Jan;69(1):67­73.
6. Racinet C. [Maternal posture during parturition] [Article in French]. Gynecol Obstet Fertil 2005  Jul­ Aug;33(7­8):533­8.
7. Adachi K, Shimada M, Usui A.The relationship between the parturient’s positions and perceptions of labor pain intensity. Nurs Res 2003 Jan­Feb;52(1):47­51.
8. Molina FJ, Sola  PA, Lopez E,  Pires  C. Pain  in  the  first stage  of labor: relationship  with  the  patient’s  position. J Pain Symptom Manage 1997 Feb;13(2):98­103.
9. Melzack R, Belanger E, Lacroix R. Labor pain: effect of maternal position on front and back pain. J Pain  Symptom Manage 1991 Nov;6(8):476­80.
10. Roberts J, Malasanos L, Mendez–Bauer C. Maternal positions in labor: analysis in relation to comfort and 
efficiency. Birth Defects Orig Artic Ser 1981;17(6):97­128.
11. Andrwes CM, Chrzanowski M. Maternal position, labor and comfort. Appl Nurs Res 1990 Feb;3(1):7­13.
12. Mendez–Bauer C, Arroya  J, Garcia  Ramos  C. Menedez A, Lavilla M, Izquierdo F, et al. Effects  of
standing position  on  spontaneous uterine  contractility and  other aspects of labor. J Perinat Med 
1975;3(2):89­100.
13. Cunningham FG, Leveno KJ, Bloom SL, Hauth JC, Gilstar LC, Wenestrom KD.Williams obstetrics. 22nd 
ed. New York:McGraw­Hill;2005:428.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics