ABSTRACT
A small qualitative study aimed at exploring midwifery perspectives on pain in labour offered a new way of exploring approaches to pain in labour. Within healthcare provision, the phrase adequate pain relief is rightly seen as an important role of doctors and nurses when attending people who are in need of medical or nursing attention. This National Childbirth Trust Research Overview paper explains the theory of working with pain in labour with reference to research evidence, including UK women's experiences of labour. Denis Walsh provides an overview of theory about pain in labour and discusses the evidence base for various support strategies under various headings. It includes psychological methods, physical therapies, sensory methods, complementary therapies, spiritual rituals, and technologies and drugs. There are many situations in which it is really important to be able to talk through options for pain relief and pain management with a woman and her supporters.
