WOMEN’S SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT EPIDURAL ANALGESIA

Abstract

Labor pain is one of the greatest pains experienced by women throughout their life. Relief of this pain is an important issue for women in labor [1]. Epidural analgesia is the most effective pain relief method and is considered the gold standard of labor analgesia [2]. Nevertheless, scientific studies reveal limited parturient knowledge about epidural anesthesia [3,4]. This study has been conducted to assess the knowledge, sources of information, and attitudes regarding epidural analgesia among young mothers. The study was conducted at the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics. The study took place in November 2022 by using a pre-designed questionnaire. A total of 102 questionnaires were distributed to parturient and 100 were returned, the response rate was 98%. The study shows that more than two-thirds of women agree that epidural analgesia is the most effective method for labor pain management. The internet remains the main source of information for women. The demographic variables were not associated with the desire to request epidural analgesia in the future. Women who know about the effectiveness of epidural analgesia are more likely to choose an epidural in the future. Therefore, it is important to provide more information about the methods of labor pain relief to women during pregnancy.