[Psychological aspects of pain experience in amniocentesis]

This study describes the psychological aspects and the experience of pain in 2 groups of women undergoing amniocentesis in relation to the different indication for the procedure and duration of gestation in the respective groups.

Data were collected after amniocentesis from 100 pregnant women, 50 of whom underwent age-related amniocentesis (14 weeks of gestation) and 50 for measurement of amniotic fluid insulin levels (30 weeks of gestation). A semi-structured psychological interview was used to collect information concerning experience of pain, cognition before amniocentesis, knowledge about the procedure and the most distressing aspects of amniocentesis. Visual analog scales (VAS, 0 to 10) were used to assess the degree of pain and emotional mood state.

The results showed that emotional mood state before amniocentesis was fair (mean = 4.6) and increased after amniocentesis (mean = 8.1) The degree of pain during amniocentesis was assessed at a mean value of 2.9 measured on the 10-point visual analog scale. Fifty per cent of the sample considered the physical, the other 50% the psychological (anxiety and uncertainty) aspects as the most distressing factor of amniocentesis. Although women were given prior detailed information about amniocentesis they overestimated the degree of pain, related risk factors, and duration of the medical procedure. There were no differences in the investigated variables between the two different indications for amniocentesis or the weeks of gestation.

The findings of the study indicate the psychological distress associated with amniocentesis, which is limited to a short period of time, and is independent of the indication for amniocentesis.