Pain management in the first stage of labour using sensory stimulation

Abstract

Background Severe pain during the first stage of labour can harm both the mother and fetus. Previous studies have shown that severe pain in childbirth can cause discomfort, stress, risk of depressive disorders, decreased intestinal motility and prolonged labour for the mother. For the fetus, it can cause hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, cognitive and emotional disorders and even death. Therefore, better management of labour pain during the first stage is needed. Aim This study aimed to assess the effect of sensory stimulation to reduce pain in the first stage of labour. Methods Garuda portal, the Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia e-resource, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Pubmed were used to search for literature. The inclusion criteria were original randomised controlled trials published in English, in 2014–2020, with a minimum sample size of 30 where the study outcome was rated on a pain scale. Results Ten randomised controlled trials were included. The primary interventions using sensory stimulation to reduce pain during the first stage of labour were aromatherapy, music therapy, breathing control, focusing, and virtual reality. Conclusions Sensory stimulation by aromatherapy, music therapy, breathing control, focusing and virtual reality are effective in reducing pain in the first stage of labour.