The effect of music on labor pain in the active phase of the first stage of labor in primiparous women

Non-pharmacological methods in labor analgesia are better than pharmacological methods because they are safe for the mother and baby, easy to administer, have great satisfaction, do not interfere with uterine contractions and are not expensive. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of music on pain intensity in primiparous women during the active phase of labor. A single blind controlled trial was conducted on sixty primiparous women in hajar hospital of Shahrekord patients. Were randomly assigned to two equivalent groups (n=30): music and control. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). First, prior to any kind of intervention, the severity of the base pain (the beginning of the active phase) was measured in two groups by means of VAS in 4 cm dilation. Again, after the experimental group had received intervention, the severity of the labor pains in 4,6,8 and 10 cm cervical dilation was measured and was compared. Women in the music group listened to their choice of soft music with earphones (calming or piano) intermittently each 30 minute during the active phase of labor. Data were analyzed using general linear model, the paired t test, χ2 and independent t-test. There was a significant difference between the severity of the pains pre and post music intervention in 4, 6 and 8 cervical dilation (P<0.001). Comparing between music and control group, to music group had significantly less pain than the control group. In 4, 6 and 8 cervical dilation (P<0.001). The mean duration of first stage of labor in music group was 353.46±67.6 minutes and in control groups was 401.5±96.5 minutes (P<0.05). Findings suggest that music can decrease pain during labor. So introduce music as a technique which will make the labor pains olerable, will decrease its severity without using any drugs, and will decrease unessential caesarean section.