Relationship between pain management and women´s satisfaction during labour. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The factors related to the satisfaction of women during labour vary widely. Pain relief is one of the fundamental weaknesses, so it could influence the rating of the rest of the satisfaction items. The use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS), like a non-pharmacologic pain relief approach, is a safe and effective technique used during childbirth. Measure for Testing Satisfaction (COMFORTS) scale is a specific questionnaire that includes the most important factors associated with the relation between mother satisfaction and the childbirth experience. The aim is to analyse factors influencing satisfaction in pregnant women during labour and its relationship with pain management. Methods: : A randomized and double-blind controlled trial was conducted. All participants completed the satisfaction scale immediately after childbirth. A total of 63 participants were randomly assigned to one Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS) device to relieve the pain, with different dose in each patients group. This was measured with two scales; the satisfaction level was measured with the COMFORTS scale and pain was measured with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: : the total satisfaction scale mean score was 171.03 (SD 19.69) with an individual item mean of 4.28. Women who expressed a low level of satisfaction had experienced severe pain. A lower degree of satisfaction was observed in women with severe pain (3.03 ± 1.1) than in women with moderate pain (4.53 ± 0.7). Women who have had more than one delivery presented the highest level of satisfaction, followed by nulliparous and those who have had a previous pregnancy. Conclusions: : Overall, high level of satisfaction during labour was obtained; we recommend the use of Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief to improve general satisfaction. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03137251.