Investigating the Factors Associated with Labor Pain and Coping Behavior

Pain is a complex perceptional experience that is influenced by psychosocial factors. Coping with labor pain is a defined behavior that is applied to control the pain or emotional reactions to it by every individual. Regarding few researches in this issue، the present study is aimed to investigate the factors associated with pain and coping behaviors. This two-phase correlational study was implemented on 120 low-risk pregnant women، in the 36 to 40 weeks of pregnancy، who have referred to Om-Al-Banin Hospital for delivery. The participants were easily selected. Their demographic information، obstetric record، and life style forms were completed. The samples were monitored until the beginning of laboring time. Then in the second phase of sampling، every half an hour during uterine contractions، observation form of coping behavior toward labor pain was filled out from the dilatation of 3–5 cm up to childbirth. The questionnaire content validity was checked and its reliability was assessed by Cronbach''s Alpha. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16، Kruskal-Wallis، variance analysis and Spearman correlation coefficient statistical tests. P value less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. The average age of samples was 25. 1 years with a standard deviation of 4. 9 and its range was between 18 to 35 years. Based on results، 16. 3% of the pregnant women showed unfavorable، 50% acceptable and 33. 7% favorable coping behavior toward labor pain. The results of correlation tests revealed that mothers'' idea about childbirth (p<0. 015)، previous delivery experience (p<0. 006)، the time spent for religious affairs (p<0. 000)، length of active phase of the first stage (p<0. 000)، the mean pain intensity (p<0. 000) and anxiety due to entering the research (p<0. 001) were significantly associated with coping behaviors toward labor pain. Coping with pain is accompanied with specific characteristics and various effects in labor process. So، more attention should be paid to clinical controlling the parturient، as well as، physiological signs، and clinical examinations.