“…For instance, highly supported married patients recovering from coronary bypass surgery (i.e., those whose spouses visit them frequently in the hospital) use less pain medication, spend less time in intensive care, and are discharged from the hospital sooner than unmarried patients and married patients with less support (i.e., those whose spouses infrequently visit) (Kulik & Mahler, 1989). With regard to childbirth pain, women who receive greater support from caregivers during labor and delivery use fewer labor pain medications and analgesics (Gjerdingen et al, 1991; Hodnett et al, 2013; Kennel, Klaus, McGrath, Robertson, & Hinkley, 1991; McGrath & Kennell, 2008; Sauls, 2002), suggesting that they have a less painful experience. Among women interviewed 1-3 days following delivery, recalled pain during labor and delivery is negatively correlated with support from both husbands and hospital staff (Norr et al, 1977).…”