Effect of Two Different Positions on Parturients’ Perception of Labor Pains Intensity

Background: Labor is a local process that involves the abdomen and reproductive organs, but its intensity is so great that almost all body systems are affected. One of the various systems in which major changes occur in response to labor is in the neurological system, which is related to pain. Posit...

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Main Authors: Wafaa A. Rashad, Fatma M. Shuaib
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Alexandria University 2010-12-01
Series:Journal of High Institute of Public Health
Subjects:
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author Wafaa A. Rashad
Fatma M. Shuaib
author_facet Wafaa A. Rashad
Fatma M. Shuaib
author_sort Wafaa A. Rashad
collection DOAJ
description Background: Labor is a local process that involves the abdomen and reproductive organs, but its intensity is so great that almost all body systems are affected. One of the various systems in which major changes occur in response to labor is in the neurological system, which is related to pain. Position assumed during childbirth affects the woman's anatomic and physiologic adaptations to labor. Objective: To determine the effect of two different positions on parturients’ perception of labor pains intensity. Methods: A randomized, crossover study was conducted at the delivery room affiliated to King Fahd University Hospital in Saudi Arabia Kingdom. It included 84 parturient primiparae who were randomly assigned to one of two groups, in which either side-lying or sitting position was first used then alternate with the other position to avoid order effect. Group 1 started in the sitting position for 15 minutes, and then they were asked to reposition themselves in the sidelying position. Group 2 started in the side-lying position for 15 minutes, and then they were asked to reposition themselves in the sitting position. An interview and physical assessment sheet was developed and used by the researchers to collect data about general characteristics as well as general and local physical assessment. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was also used to measure the intensity of labor pains as perceived by participants in each position. Results: The results of the study revealed that mean pain score was statistically decreased in side-lying position among group 1, while it was statistically increased in sitting position among group 2, although sitting position statistically enhanced cervical dilatation and rupture of membranes among group 2. Conclusion: Side-lying position significantly reduces the intensity of labor pains during the active phase of labor.
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spelling doaj.art-5bc9d12c51824e3e90382b0de20e01c12022-12-21T21:56:39ZengAlexandria UniversityJournal of High Institute of Public Health2357-06012357-061X2010-12-0140472473810.21608/JHIPH.2010.20630Effect of Two Different Positions on Parturients’ Perception of Labor Pains IntensityWafaa A. Rashad0Fatma M. Shuaib1Obstetric and Gynecologic Nursing Department Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, EgyptObstetric and Gynecologic Nursing Department Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, EgyptBackground: Labor is a local process that involves the abdomen and reproductive organs, but its intensity is so great that almost all body systems are affected. One of the various systems in which major changes occur in response to labor is in the neurological system, which is related to pain. Position assumed during childbirth affects the woman's anatomic and physiologic adaptations to labor. Objective: To determine the effect of two different positions on parturients’ perception of labor pains intensity. Methods: A randomized, crossover study was conducted at the delivery room affiliated to King Fahd University Hospital in Saudi Arabia Kingdom. It included 84 parturient primiparae who were randomly assigned to one of two groups, in which either side-lying or sitting position was first used then alternate with the other position to avoid order effect. Group 1 started in the sitting position for 15 minutes, and then they were asked to reposition themselves in the sidelying position. Group 2 started in the side-lying position for 15 minutes, and then they were asked to reposition themselves in the sitting position. An interview and physical assessment sheet was developed and used by the researchers to collect data about general characteristics as well as general and local physical assessment. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was also used to measure the intensity of labor pains as perceived by participants in each position. Results: The results of the study revealed that mean pain score was statistically decreased in side-lying position among group 1, while it was statistically increased in sitting position among group 2, although sitting position statistically enhanced cervical dilatation and rupture of membranes among group 2. Conclusion: Side-lying position significantly reduces the intensity of labor pains during the active phase of labor.labor painsparturients’ positionvisual analogue scale (vas)
spellingShingle Wafaa A. Rashad
Fatma M. Shuaib
Effect of Two Different Positions on Parturients’ Perception of Labor Pains Intensity
Journal of High Institute of Public Health
labor pains
parturients’ position
visual analogue scale (vas)
title Effect of Two Different Positions on Parturients’ Perception of Labor Pains Intensity
title_full Effect of Two Different Positions on Parturients’ Perception of Labor Pains Intensity
title_fullStr Effect of Two Different Positions on Parturients’ Perception of Labor Pains Intensity
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Two Different Positions on Parturients’ Perception of Labor Pains Intensity
title_short Effect of Two Different Positions on Parturients’ Perception of Labor Pains Intensity
title_sort effect of two different positions on parturients perception of labor pains intensity
topic labor pains
parturients’ position
visual analogue scale (vas)
work_keys_str_mv AT wafaaarashad effectoftwodifferentpositionsonparturientsperceptionoflaborpainsintensity
AT fatmamshuaib effectoftwodifferentpositionsonparturientsperceptionoflaborpainsintensity