Alleviation of labor pain in Norway. An interview investigation in 1969 and 1986.

Abstract

In 1969 the Scan-Gallup institution interviewed a random sample of 503 women from all parts of Norway who had given birth during the last 24 months. Cesarean sections and forceps deliveries were excluded. The interviews revealed that 69% of the women were left unattended for a considerable part of the delivery, that their husbands were present at only 6% of the births, and only 31% of the women received any kind of analgesia. None were given an epidural block. Nevertheless, 80% of the mothers subsequently said they were satisfied with the treatment and care. Of the 20% dissatisfied, 70% complained of lack of attention, but only 17% drew attention to lack of analgesia. The same investigation has been repeated in 1986 by the same institution and using the same questions. This time the interviews disclosed a completely different picture. 83% of the women were attended by someone all the time during their births, the child's father was present at 86% of the births, 75% of the mothers had received some kind of analgesia, and 14% received epidural block. Nevertheless, the number of satisfied mothers was no greater than in 1969. In 1986 the dissatisfied complained of unfriendly midwives, and lack of sympathy, reassurance and support. Only 15% complained of lack of analgesia, similar to the 1969 finding.