The convergence between in‐labor report and postpartum recall of parturition pain

Abstract

This non-experimental study was designed to investigate the congruence between in-labor report and postpartum recall of labor pain as measured by the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). Fifty married parturients, ages 19 to 39 at term with a normal pregnancy, served as subjects. Analysis of variance showed that postpartum report of labor pain on the Present Pain Intensity scale of the MPQ was not consistently congruent with pain reported during labor. In contrast, the Pain Rating Index of the MPQ provided postpartum data that was congruent with the in-labor report. Significant interaction effects, however, suggested that postpartially the women tended to devaluate the pain of early labor and inflate the pain of transitional labor when compared to their in-labor report. Theoretical and practical implications of the results for the measurement of labor pain are discussed.

Memory of pain induced by physical exercise

“…Indeed, the pain induced by physical exercise is a type of acute pain. It should be also noted that memory of labour pain is often underestimated (Bennett, 1985;Lowe & Roberts, 1988;Norvell et al, 1987;Simkin, 1992;Waldenström, 2003). Niven and Murphy-Black (2000), who reviewed the studies on memory of labour pain, concluded that "labor pain intensity is remembered accurately or decreases on recall".…”

Perineal Outcomes and Maternal Comfort Related to the Application of Perineal Warm Packs in the Second Stage of Labor: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Pain associated with advancement of the fetal head and stretching of the perineal tissues can be severe (24,37,(39)(40)(41). Few studies have examined the effect of analgesia in relation to perineal pain during and after birth.…”

“…Potential confounders, which were identified from the literature, initially included mode of birth (normal vs instrumental), age (16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34), and > 34 yr), ethnicity (non-Asian vs Asian), birthweight ( 3,500 vs > 3,500 g), and birth position (semiseated, upright, flat, lateral). A screen of p < 0.25 was used to justify retaining the variables in the model except for group, which was retained regardless.…”

“…The pain associated with the advancement of the fetal head and stretching of perineal tissues can be severe (21,22,24).…”

A prospective study of self-efficacy expectancies and labour pain

“…To address the limitations of previous studies, participants in the current study were asked, before beginning labour, to rate self-efficacy theory variables as they related to the individual's pain coping beliefs. To further ensure reliable and valid measures of key variables, participants were asked to make pain ratings for a particular phase of labour while they were experiencing it (Fridh et al, 1988;Lowe & Roberts, 1988;Niven & Brodie, 1996;Niven & Gjisbers, 1996;Norvell et al, 1987;Ranta et al, 1995;Terry & Gijsbers, 2000).…”