Progression of labor pain in primiparas and multiparas

The purpose of this study was to systematically describe the dimensions of pain during the progression of labor in primiparas and multiparas. Fifty primiparas and 88 multiparas were assessed for pain when the cervix was dilated 2-4 cm, 5-7 cm, and 8-10 cm. The sensory component of in-labor pain was more severe than the affective component for both primiparas and multiparas throughout labor and delivery except during Stage III when primiparas reported more intense affective pain. Primiparas reported more intense sensory pain in Stages I and III and more intense affective pain in all three stages of labor than the multiparas even though they consumed significantly more pain medications than the multiparas.