Virtual Reality as a Method to Cope With Labor Pain: What Do Women Want?

Abstract

This study aimed to determine what childbearing women want when using virtual reality as an intrapartum pain management method. Researchers performed a qualitative exploratory study using content analysis. Two focus groups were organized including pregnant women anticipating a vaginal birth and women who recently had given birth, no longer than 6 months ago. The focus groups included a 30-minute virtual reality demo. In total, 10 women participated. Five themes emerged: (1) "try, test and explore": the need to receive information and to get acquainted with virtual reality during the antenatal period; (2) "variety and diversity in physical and digital options": the preference for a variety in virtual content and view virtual reality as a complementary method to methods for intrapartum pain management; (3) "distraction versus focus": virtual reality as a method to distract from pain, from the clinical context or to help them focus; (4) "comfort both physical and digital": measures to ensure a comfortable physical and virtual experience; and (5) "birthing partner": the potential need to include partners. This study is an essential step informing the development, implementation, and research of labor-specific virtual reality and informing antenatal healthcare providers when offering women virtual reality as intrapartum pain management.