Alessandro Favilli1, Antonio Simone Laganà2, Ugo Indraccolo3, Alessandra Righi4, Onofrio Triolo5, Maria D' Apolito5, Sandro Gerli4. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USL Umbria 1, Alta Valle del Tevere Hospital, Città di Castello (PG), Umbria, Italy. Electronic address: alessandrofavilli.mail@gmail.com. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Filippo Del Ponte" Hospital, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy. 3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, USL Umbria 1, Alta Valle del Tevere Hospital, Città di Castello (PG), Umbria, Italy. 4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy. 5. Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood "G. Barresi", University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess women preference about pain and duration of labour applying a standardized questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective multicentre large cohort study was carried out in two different University Hospitals. A standardized questionnaire was proposed before active labour and the day after delivery in order to investigate whether women preferred low pain intensity for a longer labour duration or greater pain intensity for a shorter labour duration. The studied population was divided and analysed in two groups according to Epidural Analgesia (EA) administration. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to assess which variables were able to influence the opinion about the pain perception after birth. RESULTS: EA group showed an increased risk of episiotomy (p = 0.004), of longer duration of labour (Stage I, p < 0.001; Stage II, p = 0.002) and of oxytocin augmentation (P = 0.030). No statistical differences were found about the route of delivery between the two groups. Rates of pre-labour scores significantly differed from rates of post labour scores (p < 0.001). In the multivariable linear regression analysis, pre-labour score was directly related to post-labour score (p = 0.013). The EA was indirectly related to higher pain levels for a longer duration preference (p = 0.001), whereas oxytocic infusion in labour was directly related with preference for higher pain for a shorter duration (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Patients' preferences about labour are focused on both pain relief and labour duration. The standardized questionnaire could be a useful tool to screen patients eligible for EA.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess women preference about pain and duration of labour applying a standardized questionnaire. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective multicentre large cohort study was carried out in two different University Hospitals. A standardized questionnaire was proposed before active labour and the day after delivery in order to investigate whether women preferred low pain intensity for a longer labour duration or greater pain intensity for a shorter labour duration. The studied population was divided and analysed in two groups according to Epidural Analgesia (EA) administration. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to assess which variables were able to influence the opinion about the pain perception after birth. RESULTS: EA group showed an increased risk of episiotomy (p = 0.004), of longer duration of labour (Stage I, p < 0.001; Stage II, p = 0.002) and of oxytocin augmentation (P = 0.030). No statistical differences were found about the route of delivery between the two groups. Rates of pre-labour scores significantly differed from rates of post labour scores (p < 0.001). In the multivariable linear regression analysis, pre-labour score was directly related to post-labour score (p = 0.013). The EA was indirectly related to higher pain levels for a longer duration preference (p = 0.001), whereas oxytocic infusion in labour was directly related with preference for higher pain for a shorter duration (p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS:Patients' preferences about labour are focused on both pain relief and labour duration. The standardized questionnaire could be a useful tool to screen patients eligible for EA.