Postnatal mothers' experiences of their pain in labour

Abstract

Labour pain is a subjective, unique and "unpleasant sensory and emotional experience" (IASP, 2012) that categorizes amongst the most agonizing forms of pain (Beigi, et al., 2010; Conell-Price, et al., 2008; Ibach, et al., 2007; Pirdel & Pirdel, 2009). Studies show that labour pain is relative to the orientation in which labour is carried out. This retrospective qualitative study aimed to explore postnatal mothers' experiences of their pain in labour. The objectives of this study sought to: explore mothers' experiences of pain in labour and to explore how mothers coped with their pain during their first stage of labour. A convenience sample of five postnatal mothers (N=5) within the maternity wards of one local general hospital, voluntarily participated in a self-designed, in-depth, semi-structured, face-to-face, audio-recorded interview consisting of open-ended questions. A 100% response rate was achieved. The collected data was transcribed vertabim whilst Braun and Clarke (2006) thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Four themes were derived from the mothers' accounts, namely: Women's Experiences of Labour Pain; Inhibitors of Successful Coping; Coping with Pain Enhancers; and Midwifery Approach of 'being with women' in Pain. The findings demonstrated that postnatal mothers have very strong views and often hold a mixture of emotions with regards to their experience of labour pain. In retrospect, the experience of labour pain was often viewed as meaningful and empowering. The experience of pain was highly dependent on the mother's perception, attitude and outlook towards labour pain and its purpose. Additionally, the experience of labour pain was greatly influenced by an array of physiological, psychological and environmental factors that acted as stressors or motivators. Women yearn for an optimal women-centred environment and a positive midwifery atmosphere, to facilitate a more satisfying maternal labouring experience. In view of time constraints, the study recruited a small sample size. However, given the qualitative research design, the small sample size strengthened the study because it enabled a deeper understanding of the mothers' experiences. Recommendations for practice and management, education and future research included, the need for: introduction of antenatal community midwifery; establishment of continuity of care and carer to facilitate the formation of a trusting midwife-mother relationship; the provision of personalised woman-centred care; better quality midwifery education and establishment of compulsory and continuous professional development (CPD) courses regarding the most updated research on intrapartum management of pain; and finally, conduction of the study on a wider scale, using a mixed method research design, and perchance also adopting a longitudinal approach.