Non-pharmacological Interventions of Pain Management Used During Labour; an Exploratory Descriptive Qualitative Study of Puerperal Women in Adidome Government Hospital of the Volta Region, Ghana

Abstract

Background: Women have experienced labour pain over the years as various attempts have been made to effectively manage this pain. There is paucity of literature on the experiences and perceptions about labour pain management with the contemporary Ghanaian health system. This study explored the perspective of puerperal women on the use of non-pharmacological labour pain management at Adidome Government Hospital. Methods: The study adopted an exploratory descriptive qualitative approach as data was collected through individual interviews. Informed consent was obtained from all participants who were purposively sampled. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed immediately. Thematic analysis was engaged in three interrelated stages, namely data reduction, data display, and data conclusion to analyse the transcript and field notes. Results were presented with supporting quotes from the transcripts. Results: The majority (41.2%) of the women described labour pain as very severe, severe (35.3%) and moderate (23.5%) as the pain lasted more than 12 hours (58.8%). The various strategies adopted in managing labour pains included shouting and walking around (47.1%), crying and screaming (35.3%) and staying calm and snapping the fingers (17.6%). Women indicated they were satisfied (52.9%) and very satisfied (23.5%) of the midwives' attitude towards pain management. The pain management strategies adopted during labour included women engaged in deep breathing exercises, chatting with other people and relatives, diversion therapy, reassurance, taking a shower, assuming side lying positions, and receiving intravenous therapy. The presence of the husband of a labouring woman during improved pain bearing ability.Conclusion: It is important that midwives institute pragmatic protocols in the labour ward that ensure a relaxing atmosphere for women in labour, respond to the sensitivity and specificity of labouring women needs and when possible significant others of the labouring women could be allowed to visit. Expectant mothers should be educated more on non – pharmacological pain management to reduce anxieties and improve decision making.

Assessment of the Effectiveness of Patterned Breathing Technique in Reduction of Pain During First Stage of Labour Among Primigravida Mothers

“…most of the parturient hope to receive adequate pain relief during childbirth and the aim of obstetrics practice is to select a procedure that will reduce the pain to a degree in which the parturient can cope with it and at the same time allow the parturient the opportunity to engage in the experience of birth. (Konlan et al, 2021). in our nervous system, pain is a warning that something might be wrong.…”