Labour Pain and Satisfaction of Primipara Assume Upright versus Recumbent Positions during First Stage of Labour

Abstract

This study aimed to compare labour pain and satisfaction of primipara assume upright versus recumbent positions during first stage of labour. Subjects and method: A quasi-experimental research design was used at the Labour and delivery room of Mansoura University Hospital. A purposive sample of 134 parturient women in 1 st stage of labour enrolled in this study, they divided into two groups; study group (n=67) assumed one of upright positions as walking, sitting, standing, kneeling, and squatting during first stage of labour and control group (n=67) assumed one of recumbent positions as supine, semi-recumbent and lateral position during the same stage. Three tools were used for data collection; a structured interview questionnaire, Visual Analogue Scale and maternal satisfaction with assumed position questionnaire. Results: parturient women who were assumed upright positions had lower labour pain and higher satisfaction scores compared to those assumed recumbent positions (p = <0.001). Conclusion and recommendations: upright position was an effective method in reducing labour pain and improving parturient women's satisfaction with assumed position. Thus, it is recommended to encourage parturient women to maintain upright positions during first stage of labour.