Reduction of pain in childbirth by the alleviation of anxiety during pregnancy.

Abstract

Measures of fear and anxiety were taken before and after courses in childbirth education and childcare for 42 primiparas in the third trimester of pregnancy. A groups X trial analysis of variance indicated that both kinds of instruction significantly reduced two of three pregnancy-related anxieties, namely, Fears for Baby and Irritability and Tension. Only the childbirth education course (Lamaze method) succeeded in reducing general anxiety level, as measured by the IP AT Anxiety Scale. Anxiety level was found to exert a significant effect on self-ratings of pain during the transition stage of labor. It was concluded that childbirth education can reduce fear and anxiety and that pain perception is enhanced by high anxiety.

A study of the crisis nature of the preparenthood period and implications for preventative social work practice

“…(4,9,10,11,13,39) Maternal fear is reduced by education. (9,20,21,33,49,61,70) PCP would, in this way, also reduce obstetric complications (4,16,1?,18,23,72) and negative birth experiences (32., 47) which are typical results of maternal anxiety.…”

“…A review of the literature found n~~erous references stating that women who are able to (meaning not drugged) and allowed the opportunity of actively participating in childbirth have more fulfilling birth experiences than those who rely on physicians and drugs. (9,11,13,16,20,31,39,69,72) Wlllmuth, Weaver and Borenstein•s research discovered, the technological, scientific approach of today's medicine often fosters the patient's sense of . powerlessness.…”

“…Many authors feel that much or the anxiety in relation to pregn~ncy felt by women in our culture is ~ trained and socially reinforced response---q response learned as ~he s result of prevailing ignorance of the events of pregnancy, labour, delivery and parenthood (1,9,44,61 (1,4,9,11,13,16,17,18,19,23,39,64,72). The most widely used scale 1n studies of this kind has been the Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS).…”

“…(6) Measures of fear and anxiety were t~ken before and after courses in childbirth education and childcare. 28 (39) . Buxton (11), Chertok (13) and other researchers have found that pain is reduced by childbirth preparation and that preparation increases self control.…”

A Process Model of the Pregnancy Course

“…Many women also begin to experience concern over the coming dissociation from the child [Arbeit, 1975;Bibring et al, 1961Bibring et al, , 1976Blum, 1980;Lukesch, 1981], Much research suggests that as the event approaches, birth anxiety and the expectation of pain becomes dominant [Lubin et al, 1978;McDonald, 1963], In addition to the fear of pain, women also indicate fear of loss of self-control, helplessness within the anonymous setting of the hospital, deforma tion of the child, and post-partum experiences [Lukesch. 1981 ;Seeman, 1981], Several stud ies have identified a positive relationship be tween level of anxiety and drug consumption, emotional problems, obstetrical medication during labour, and complication of birth [Brackbill, 1979;Klusman, 1975;Lukesch and Lukesch. 1976;Yangctal., 1976].…”