Pain intensity, coping and maternal satisfaction in low-risk labouring women: a prospective descriptive correlational study

Borrelli, Sara; Lecis, A; Antolini, L; Miglietta, M; Zanini, A; Nespoli, A; Fumagalli, S

Abstract

Objectives
The primary aim of the study was to explore pain intensity (PI) and pain coping (PC) scores and the relationship between them. The secondary aim was to explore the correlation between PI and PC scores with labour progress, parity, labour acceleration, labour augmentation and maternal satisfaction.

Methods
A prospective descriptive correlational study was conducted in a maternity hospital in Northern Italy. The sample included 54 low-risk women in active labour at term of pregnancy. A data record sheet was used to collect the relevant variables and the Italian Birth Satisfaction Scale Revised (I-BSS-R) was administered to participants at least 24 h after birth.

Results
In the first labour stage, the average PI score was 6.99 (SD = 1.95) and the average PC score was 6.5 (SD = 2.22). During the second labour stage, the average PI score was 7.75 (SD = 1.74) and the average PC score was 4.97 (SD = 2.76). The average PI score trend increased with labour progress. The average PC score improved between 4 and 7 cm of cervical dilatation. A significant positive correlation between PI scores and oxytocin augmentation (p < 0.001) and labour progression (p < 0.001) was noted. A significant positive correlation between PC scores and oxytocin augmentation (p = 0.02) was also observed. No significant differences were found for maternal satisfaction in regard to PI and PC scores.

Conclusion
coping in labour do not solely depend on PI but also on labour progress and oxytocin augmentation. Additional support to empower women to cope with pain may be required in case of labour augmentation.

Citation

Borrelli, S., Lecis, A., Antolini, L., Miglietta, M., Zanini, A., Nespoli, A., & Fumagalli, S. (2023). Pain intensity, coping and maternal satisfaction in low-risk labouring women: a prospective descriptive correlational study. Sexual and Reproductive HealthCare, 36, Article 100848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100848

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 10, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Apr 14, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-06
• Deposit Date: May 10, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 15, 2024
• Journal: Sexual and Reproductive HealthCare
• Print ISSN: 1877-5756
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Article Number: 100848
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.srhc.2023.100848
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/20560596
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877575623000381