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Overestimation and underestimation of labor pain
E Sheiner1, E K Sheiner, R Hershkovitz
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Summary
Caregivers accurately estimated labor pain in about half of patients. Cultural differences between medical staff and patients significantly impacted pain estimation accuracy, with underestimation more common in religious patients and grandmultiparous women.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pain Management
- Healthcare Communication
Background:
- Accurate pain assessment is crucial in labor and delivery.
- Understanding factors influencing caregiver pain estimation can improve patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing healthcare providers' ability to accurately estimate labor pain levels.
- To compare pain estimations between caregivers and patients.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 255 women in labor was conducted.
- Patients rated their pain using a visual analog scale (VAS).
- Caregivers simultaneously estimated patient pain using the same VAS, with comparisons made for accurate, overestimated, and underestimated pain.
Main Results:
- Caregivers correctly estimated pain in 50.6% of patients; overestimation occurred in 24.3% and underestimation in 25.1%.
- Labor pain was frequently underestimated in grandmultiparous women (57.1%) and religious patients (44%).
- Factors like age, education, or childbirth preparation did not affect estimation accuracy, but cultural/religious differences did.
Conclusions:
- A significant cultural gap between caregiver and patient leads to less accurate pain interpretation.
- Addressing cultural and religious disparities is essential for improving pain management during labor.