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Published on: January 27, 2010
Parturients' Perspectives on Labor Pain and Epidural Analgesia: An Explorative Qualitative Study
L Højstrup1, S Bohart1, L Thellesen2,3
1Herlev Anesthesia Critical and Emergency Care Science Unit, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
|January 29, 2026
Summary
Labor epidural analgesia provides crucial psychological relief, a "mental break," enhancing the birth experience. Effective pain management requires addressing psychological well-being alongside physical relief for individualized care.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pain Management
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Labor pain is intensely subjective and challenging to manage.
- Epidural analgesia is effective but often focuses solely on physical relief.
- Patient-centered care requires understanding cognitive and emotional dimensions of labor pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore parturients' perceptions of labor pain and relief with epidural analgesia.
- To inform comprehensive, patient-centered pain management strategies.
- To highlight the importance of psychological relief in labor pain management.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews with 14 postpartum women.
- Conducted within 24 hours of delivery at a Danish university hospital.
- Data analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, adhering to qualitative research reporting standards.
Main Results:
- Four themes emerged: extreme pain, transformation of birth experience, social/practical dilemmas, and trust in staff.
- Epidural analgesia provided significant psychological relief, a
- mental break,
- restoring energy and presence.
- High satisfaction noted, yet individualized goals for pain relief were often undiscussed.
Conclusions:
- Psychological relief is a critical component of effective labor pain management.
- Antenatal and intrapartum care should address psychological effects of epidural analgesia.
- Multidimensional assessment tools are needed to capture cognitive, emotional, and functional well-being beyond pain intensity.
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