Lajšanje porodne bolečine v Sloveniji

Abstract

Introduction: Every woman experiences birth pain in a different way. Birth pain is defined as an »excellent model of acute pain,« but unlike other acute pain usually associated with injury or illness, it is part of the normal physiological process. Birth pain also has an important function in the physiological process itself, producing hormones such as endorphins and oxytocin. In developed countries, various methods are used to relieve birth pain, which may be pharmacological and/or non-pharmacological. The aim of our study was to investigate the methods of relieving birth pain (pharmacological, non-pharmacological)in Slovenian maternity hospitals. Methods: A descriptive and causal non-experimental method of empirical research was used, based on an online survey, i.e., a questionnaire. The survey was conducted among midwives in Slovenian maternity hospitals. It was conducted by 3rd year midwifery students from the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana. The data were analysed based on descriptive statistics using frequency and percentage calculations. Results: Survey data indicated that women in Slovenian maternity hospitals have 6 pharmacological methods available to relieve labour pain. These include epidural analgesia (71 %), nitrous oxide (53 %), and petidine (47 %). Data from the study indicate that 9 nonpharmacologic methods are available to women in Slovenian maternity hospitals to relieve labour pain. Position changes (93 %), massage/massage balls (78 %), warm/cold compresses (47 %), and aromatherapy (45 %) are used most frequently. Farmacologic methods are most used in the first stage of birth (73 %) and nonpharmacologic methods in the first and second stage of birth (56 %). Discussion and conclusion: In Slovenia, women have a wide choice of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to relieve labour pain. Pharmacological methods of pain relief are more frequently represented, which in our estimation could be more frequently supplemented by non-pharmacological methods.