Pain Relief in Labour: How Can We Improve Intrapartum Care?

Background: Pain in labour is perceived differently for every individual. We can improve the outcomes and patient satisfaction with intrapartum care by ensuring adequate education and appropriate use of requested pain relief options. Encouraging informed personal control contributes to a women’s overall satisfaction. Aims: To assess current practice and identify improvement areas in the perception, planning and use of pain relief options, and how this impacts satisfaction of pain relief in labour. Methods: 114 retrospective anonymous patient questionnaires were returned by women delivering by spontaneous vaginal delivery, instrumental delivery or emergency caesarean section at Nambour General Hospital between April and July 2011. Data were collated and analysed using STATA. Results: 83% and 65% of women had their pain relief options explained antenatally and on admission respectively. 92% reported their pain relief was adequately provided. There was a significant difference (p << 0.001) between those reporting “very good” or “good” satisfaction when compared to those reporting “fair” or “poor” with regards to a change from their method of planned pain relief. However, no significant difference (p = 0.62) between the “same as planned” group and the “different than planned” group, highlighting that most women were satisfied irrespective of whether their plan changed or not. However, if they were unsatisfied, this correlated with a change in their plan. Conclusions: Education of pain relief options for labour antenatally and on birth suite admission, with adequate discussion and documentation of their wishes encourages informed planning and use of pain relief. This promotes personal choice and control, resulting in improved overall satisfaction of pain relief in labour.