<p><b>Birth is a normal physiological process, and many women want a natural birth. However, there is worldwide concern over the increasing use of epidural analgesia and other pharmacological pain relief methods for women in labour. This tendency renders birth non-physiological by increasing the use of obstetric interventions with associated risks. Women use a range of non-pharmacological pain relief methods to reduce labour pain intensity, to help manage labour pain and to induce relaxation. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of women using virtual reality (VR) as a non-pharmacological method of pain relief in labour and to determine whether there was an effect on labour pain intensity. Virtual reality has been shown to be an effective distraction technique in other acute pain settings and also reduces anxiety.</b></p>
<p>This study used a pragmatic mixed method approach with a sequential exploratory design, combining in-depth antenatal and postnatal interviews with an intervention study in labour in a cross-over within-subjects trial. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data.</p>
<p>Twenty-six pregnant women were recruited to the study. Fourteen participants reported their pain and had their heart rate and blood pressure measured during active labour while using and not using VR. There were significantly lower reported pain scores (6.14 compared to 7.61, p =<.001) and maternal heart rate (79.86 beats per minute compared to 85.57, p = .033) and mean arterial pressure (88.78 mmHg compared to 92.61 mmHg, p = .022) were lower when using VR during active labour. These differences were all statistically significant. Findings from qualitative postnatal interviews indicated a positive response to the use of VR in labour. Several themes were identified in the data. The first theme, Impact of VR on Labour, described the impact of VR on labour in terms of distraction, relaxation, enjoyment and a positive birth experience. The second theme, Managing the Pain, describes how VR was used by the women to manage their labour pain using breathing techniques and gaining a sense of control. In the third theme, The Challenges and Surprises of Using VR in Labour, women’s narratives recounted the various challenges of using the VR technology. Despite these challenges, ninety-four percent of women reported that they would use VR in labour again and would recommend it to a pregnant friend.</p>
<p>This study provides a unique and original contribution to the field of VR in labour and birth. It is consistent with other recent findings of reduced pain with the use of VR, and links decreased pain scales to heart rate and blood pressure, the physiological markers of pain. It also identifies VR as an acceptable and positive experience in the management of labour pain. Results from this study have the potential to inform design for future labour specific VR environments and expand its application in the field of biomedical technology.</p>
Comparison of analgesic efficacy of intramuscular tramadol and pethidine in labour
