Strategies of Comfort Management During Childbirth: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Childbirth is often conducted in a traditional biomedical paradigm. Nature’s simple plan for birth has been replaced by a maternity care system that increases unnecessary risks for mother and child. Strategies of comfort management can guide nurse professionals to face serious challenges and help a woman get benefits from normal birth. Objective: The purpose of this article is to determine strategies of comfort management in pregnant women during childbirth. Methods: Published articles from the electric databases, including CINAHL, PsyINFO, Pubmed, Cochrane, ThaiJO and other sources, were included from January 1, 2009, to March 1, 2019. The PICo mnemonics were used to guide the research question. The PICo tool was applied for search strategies. Two authors evaluated title, abstract and quality. The JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research has been used as a methodology for appraising the quality of all studies. Data were extracted by using a standard data extract tool from the JBI-Qualitative Appraisal tool by two independent researchers. Ten published articles have been selected to study by the PRISMA process. Results: Six themes of the strategy of comfort management emerged: 1) encourage a strong sense of self-control 2) support and continuous attendance 3) education and information 4) multidisciplinary approach 5) environment preparation and 6) attending a woman’s need. Conclusion: This study adds new knowledge about the strategies of comfort management that may guide the midwife with expanded options for women during childbirth, give the midwife understanding of their role and can provide comfort in effective childbirth.