Labor Pain: Perception of the Parturient and Midwife Evaluation

Abstract

Abstract: Labor pain is an organic response which is important to make a correct assessment. Human evolution brought some modifications to the human body and as a consequence, labor pain is a major concern for women and simultaneously a professional matter for midwives. The aim of this study is to describe the perception of labor pain by the parturient and its evaluation by midwives of these episodes. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Non-parametric methods were applied because the sample obtained was not normal. The study was based on two convenience samples, totaling 164 parturients and 18 nurses. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was applied. Data were collected from 575 pain episodes. The age and parity of the parturient are not associated statistically with the intensity of labor pain at the time of hospital admission, as well as the presence of a companion. The level of pain mentioned by the parturients is significantly higher than indicated by the evaluation of the midwives. Midwives with between 6-10 and 11-15 years in practice assess pain at lower levels than nurses with 1-5 or 16-20 years in practice. Conclusions: The midwives underestimate labor pain. It is important to develop greater accuracy in assessing labor pain. Midwives can provide the stronger support if they do a correct evaluation of parturient’s pain.