Perception toward Non-Pharmacological Strategies in Relieving Labor Pain: An Analytical Descriptive Study

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the perception, actual practices and perceived barriers among health-care providers regarding non-pharmacological pain relief during labor as well as explore women’s opinion towards their labor pain management experience. This was a cross sectional study of 88 health-care providers such as doctors, registered nurses and interns and 400 healthy puerperal women who experienced uncomplicated normal deliveries performed at Abha Maternity Hospital between December 2012 and April 2013. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaires and each participant was invited to share his/her experiences in a one-to-one interview format. Analysis of data obtained showed that participants on most of the pain relief methods samples reported that they knew of different types of non-pharmacological pain relief methods and expressed their agreement toward their different benefits. On the other hand, lack of time, regulatory issues, lack of knowledge, patient unwillingness and strong beliefs in analgesia were recorded as the highest barrier percentage, while women who went through childbirth reported moderate levels of satisfaction regarding their birth experience. Role and benefits of non-pharmacologic methods of pain relief during labor cannot be ignored. There are many barriers preventing non-pharmacological pain therapies from being used related to hospital regulations and policies. In addition, most women denoted that they were able to cope with labor pain through non-pharmacological management.

Keywords: non-pharmacological strategies, barriers, benefits, perception, health-care providers, labor pain, puerperal women