The nature of labour pain: An updated review of the literature.
Women Birth
; 32(1): 28-38, 2019 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29685345
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The pain experience associated with labour is complex. Literature indicates psychosocial and environmental determinants of labour pain, and yet methods to support women usually target physiological attributes via pharmacological interventions.AIM:
To provide an update of our understanding of labour pain based on modern pain science. The review aims to help explain why women can experience labour pain so differently - why some cope well, whilst others experience great suffering. This understanding is pertinent to providing optimal support to women in labour.METHOD:
A literature search was conducted in databases Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PsycINFO, using search terms labor/labour, childbirth, pain, experience and perception. Thirty-one papers were selected for inclusion.FINDINGS:
Labour pain is a highly individual experience. It is a challenging, emotional and meaningful pain and is very different from other types of pain. Key determinants and influences of labour pain were identified and grouped into cognitive, social and environmental factors.CONCLUSION:
If a woman can sustain the belief that her pain is purposeful (i.e. her body working to birth her baby), if she interprets her pain as productive (i.e. taking her through a process to a desired goal) and the birthing environment is safe and supportive, it would be expected she would experience the pain as a non-threatening, transformative life event. Changing the conceptualisation of labour pain to a purposeful and productive pain may be one step to improving women's experiences of it, and reducing their need for pain interventions.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Dor do Parto
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Pregnancy
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article