Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
Pain cognitions as predictors of the request for pain relief during the first stage of labor: a prospective study
Irena Veringa1, Simone Buitendijk, Esteriek de Miranda
1Division of Obstretics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, University of Amsterdam Medical Centre, Netherlands. irenaveringa@kpnmail.nl
Background:
It is thought that pain cognitions determine coping behavior and success in adapting to labor. The aim of this study was to examine whether pain cognitions assessed by the labor pain coping and cognition list (LPCCL) predict the request for pain relief during the first stage of labor and which pain cognition is the strongest predictor of a request for pain relief over and above, and independent of, other pain cognitions.
Methods:
Participants in this prospective study were 177 low-risk nulliparous pregnant women. Data were collected on two different occasions. The numerical pain intensity scale (NPS)-anticipated and the LPCCL were administered at 34-36 weeks' gestation followed by the NPS-during labor.
Results:
Catastrophizing and external pain control predicted the request for pain relief during labor after adjustment for relevant demographic and clinical characteristics, respectively (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.61 [95% CI 1.45-4.68] and adjusted OR 1.90 [95% CI 1.16-3.10]). Catastrophizing was found to be the strongest and independent predictor among the pain cognitions while controlling for significant background variables (adjusted OR 2.61 p-value < 0.001).
Conclusion:
Catastrophizing seems to have a substantial impact on the request for pain relief in low-risk pregnant women.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
Pain
Nociception
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
