BACKGROUND The majority of women experience pain during labour and childbirth, however not all women experience it in the same way. In order to develop a more complete understanding of labour pain, this study aimed to examine women's experiences within the perspective of modern pain science. A more complete understanding of this phenomenon can then guide the development of interventions to enha...

BACKGROUND Engagement in decision making is a key priority of modern healthcare. Women are encouraged to make decisions about pain relief in labour in the ante-natal period based upon their expectations of what labour pain will be like. Many women find this planning difficult. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore how women can be better supported in preparing for, and making, decisi...

In 12 consecutive unselected patients admitted to a consultant maternity unit one single injection of subarachnoid morphine sulphate 1.5 mg abolished pain during the first stage of labour. Pain in the second stage was abolished in four patients and lessened in three. During the early puerperium, pain at the site of the episitotomy was much reduced. Side effects included itching of the face, nau...

decades ago for pain relief in labour, controversy has persisted about its effect on the labour process. As a result of this, considerable research has been performed and findings have led to changes in practice. Epidurals have been creditedwithprolonginglabour; increasingoxytocin requirements, instrumental and operative delivery rates; and causing maternal pyrexia and postpartum back pain. The...

BACKGROUND Circadian variation may affect many biological and pharmacological phenomena. METHODS To assess circadian variations in labour pain perception, 222 consecutive nulliparous women with uncomplicated pregnancy, spontaneous labour, cervical dilatation (3-5 cm), ruptured membranes and normal fetal heart rate tracings were studied. Visual analogue pain scores (VAPS) were analysed and div...

BACKGROUND Childbirth is one of the most painful events that a woman is likely to experience, the multi-dimensional aspect and intensity of which far exceeds disease conditions. A woman's lack of knowledge about the risks and benefits of the various methods of pain relief can heighten anxiety. Women are increasingly expected, and are expecting, to participate in decisions about their healthcare...

BACKGROUND Many women would like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management in labour and this may contribute towards the popularity of complementary methods of pain management. This review examined currently available evidence supporting the use of alternative and complementary therapies for pain management in labour. OBJECTIVES To examine the effectiveness of complement...