Midwives’ and mothers’ experiences with non-pharmacological interventions for labour pain relief: A systematic review of evidence generated from qualitative research

Abstract

Background: Labour pain relief is a crucial aspect of childbirth, and non-pharmacological interventions play a significant role in managing the pain. Understanding the experiences of midwives and mothers with these interventions is essential for optimizing maternal care during childbirth.
Objective: This qualitative systematic review synthesized the experiences of midwives and mothers regarding non-pharmacological interventions for labour pain relief.
Methods: To identify relevant qualitative studies, a systematic search of databases, including PubMed (MEDLINE) and Science-Direct (Scopus), was conducted. African studies on midwives’ and mothers’ experiences with non-pharmacological interventions for labour pain relief were included. Data extraction and synthesis were performed following established methods.
Results: Five (5) studies were identified using the inclusion criteria. Six themes emerged from data analysis: Psychological preparation, support/participation in labour, coping mechanisms, pain management, the efficacy of pain relief methods, and varying pain thresholds. The data synthesis revealed information on the non-pharmacological interventions used by the midwives (Sacral massage and deep breathing), their benefits (Relaxation/comfort, distraction from pain and anxiety, enhancement of the mother-midwife relationship, ease of administration of intervention, and absence of side effects), their uses (For psychological birth preparation, support/participation, pain management, and relaxation promotion), their efficacy (They can reduce the intensity but not eliminate the labour pain), barriers to their use (poor participation from mothers and perceived lower efficacy compared to pharmacological approaches by midwives), and facilitators (Skill of midwives and mother’s acceptance).
Conclusion: Midwives' and mothers' experiences were generally positive. A tailored approach to pain management during childbirth is recommended.