Labour Pain Perceptions and Experiences among Postpartum Mothers in Public Health Facilities in Rivers State: Mixed Method Study

Background: Labour pain is regarded as the most intense pain experienced by women; yet, the degree of labour pain varies. The severity of labour pain is seldom assessed or addressed in low-resource settings.

Aim: To evaluate the perceptions and experiences of labour pain among postpartum mothers in public health facilities in Rivers State.

Study Design: A mixed method (convergent parallel) study design was used.

Methods: The qualitative and quantitative aspects involved 26 purposively and 194 consecutively selected postpartum mothers. The qualitative aspect (perception) involving in-depth interviews and thematic analysis was performed using Atlas.ti software version 23. The quantitative aspect (experience) employed an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain tool to obtain sociodemographic information, antenatal data and assess labour pain experience. Labour pain VAS ≥6 was considered severe. The proportion with severe labour pain was determined and associated factors were uncovered using a Chi-square test. The significance level was p-value<0.05.

Results: Of the 26 postpartum mothers interviewed, two themes emerged: labour pain perception and pain relief. Of the 194 postpartum mothers recruited, 137(70.6%) experienced severe labour pains. Prelabour expectation of labour pain severity, mode of delivery, labour augmentation and pain relief modality significantly influenced labour pain experience.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Women perceived labour pain as severe during childbirth. Pain relief was strongly desired by postpartum mothers and influenced labour pain perception. Postpartum mothers’ perceptions of labour pain were predominantly convergent with their experience. There is a need for a uniform labour pain relief policy and improved pain assessment and support for women in labour in Nigeria.