Non-pharmacological pain management by midwives in facilities which provide labor analgesia

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the current status and issues of non-pharmacological pain management by midwives in facilities that provide analgesic deliveries.

Methods: The research design was a cross-sectional study that used a self-administered paper questionnaire. The questionnaires were provided to 230 midwives who routinely provide non-pharmacological care at facilities that provide analgesic delivery as indicated by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Results: The analysis included 80 valid responses (effective response rate 97.6%). The proportion of midwives who practice non-pharmacological care was high. Furthermore, 92.4% of the midwives used both non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods, and 97.5% of the midwives thought it was important to combine psychological and pharmacological care. In addition, midwives felt difficulties in practicing non-pharmacological care due to a lack of time, knowledge, and skills.

Conclusion: Most midwives consider psychological care to be important and that women are more likely to feel anxious during analgesic deliveries and tend to be highly anxious about delivery. Our findings suggest that psychological care should be practiced more actively even during analgesic deliveries. This study also suggested the importance of securing enough time for midwives to provide care, learn the evidence for using non-pharmacological care during analgesic deliveries, and adopt specific practice methods.