Labour pain perception and use of non-pharmacologic labour support in newly delivered mothers in Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Pain is an unpleasant and highly personal experience that may be imperceptible to others. It is a common experience in labour and childbirth. Dealing with labour pain remains a concern to women in labour, as well as skilled birth attendants, especially in poor/low-resource settings where pain management protocol is nonexistent or where there may be sociocultural constraints of pain relief methods. Aim: To explore labour pain perception and the use of non-pharmacologic support during labour among newly delivered mothers. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted in assessing 100 newly delivered mothers at University College Hospital and Jericho Nursing Home in Ibadan, Nigeria. Three hypotheses were generated and tested at alpha5%. These were that there is no significant difference between: provision of information and perception of pain during labour among newly delivered mothers; labour pain experience and choice for caesarean section in subsequent pregnancies; and back massage and pain reduction during labour. Results: About 96% of women indicated that they experienced pain during labour. All the respondents acknowledged that labour pain was a normal experience every woman should go through. However, some women (68%) indicated a need to relieve labour pain. About 60% preferred to be supported in labour, and non-pharmacological support, which was experienced by around 70%, was identified as mainly emotional (52%) and massage therapy (32%). There was low preference for spouses’ emotional support (37%). Caesarean section was not considered as an alternative to experiencing labour pain by 62% of respondents. There were significant associations between information and pain perception during labour (p=0.017); labour pain experience and choice of caesarean section in subsequent pregnancies (p=0.002); and back massage and pain reduction during labour (p=0.008). Conclusion: Labour pain is a serious issue that may break the tradition of and clamour for spontaneous vaginal delivery in the Nigerian setting. Information and support during labour helped women to cope. Assessment should be imbibed by nurses and midwives in labour wards for accurate diagnosis and management of pain in labour. Spousal support during labour should be encouraged.