Labor pain in relation to fetal weight in primiparae.

ABSTRACT

AIM OF STUDY To investigate the association between fetal weight and the experience of labor pain in primiparae. METHODS: All primiparae who gave birth at the department of obstetrics, Herning Central Hospital, from 1 September 1998 to 30 April 1999 completed a visual analogue scale (VAS) on the second day after delivery. Pain was scored in the first, the second, and the "repair" stage of labor, respectively, and finally a score was performed for total labor evaluation. RESULTS: 139 primiparae were included. Mean age was 27 years (range 16-40 years), mean fetal weight was 3562g (range 2400-5050g). There was no relationship between fetal weight and pain score. Neither was there any relationship between pain score and maternal age, body mass index (BMI), duration of second stage of labor or the need for instrumental delivery. The score in the stage of perineal repair was significantly lower than in the other stages of labor. CONCLUSION: The experienced pain during labor among primiparae is not influenced by fetal weight.