Labor pain is the most painful experience in many women’s lives (1). Although labor is a completely physiological process, it is considered one of the most important concerns of pregnant women today (2). Labor pain is caused by a simulation of neuroreceptors following uterine contraction and is felt in the lumbar, sacral, pelvic, and abdominal areas (3). The mother’s depression and mental changes increase after delivery due to labor pain, which negatively affects her relationship with her husband and child (4). Many factors affect the understanding of labor pain including duration of labor, mother’s pelvic anatomy, fetal size, use of oxytocin, attending childbirth preparation classes, fear and anxiety related to labor, previous experience of pain, and adaptive mechanisms. Cultural and educational backgrounds and learned behaviors affect the individual’s understanding of and reaction to pain (1).
Using an effective method of painless delivery can lead to better pregnancy and labor outcomes (5). Non-pharmacological pain relief methods include homeopathy, hydrotherapy, music therapy, TENS, using breathing techniques, massage, using hot and cold water therapy bags, and aromatherapy. Two other techniques of reducing labor pain are inhalation analgesia or regional analgesia. In the inhalation method, a gas mixture called Entonox, consisting of nitrous oxide and oxygen, is used. This method takes effect in 20 seconds. Regional or epidural analgesia is administered by blocking the conduction of impulses along the sensory nerves on the verge of entering the spinal cord. In epidural analgesia, the anesthetic is injected into the epidural space, and in spinal anesthesia, the anesthetic is injected into the subarachnoid space (1). In both methods of inhaled and epidural analgesia, the presence of an anesthesiologist is required to perform and further the procedure.
Overall, women’s understanding of the nature of labor pain plays an important role in proper pain management as well as achieving the best pregnancy outcome. Various studies especially in developing nations have shown a little understanding of labor pain, painless labor, and different methods for relieving labor pain. Moreover, the satisfaction level of pain relieving methods may be affected by their knowledge of pain characteristics and the methods of its relief (6).
Due to the significance of vaginal delivery, the need for encouraging pregnant women to opt for it, the fear of labor pain as one of the reasons for the inclination towards C-section, and few studies on women’s awareness of the methods of eliminating labor pain in Iran, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating factors affecting the desire of pregnant women for painless delivery