Knowledge and attitude of antenatal mothers in regard to painless delivery

Labor pain is known and defined as one of the most severe varieties of pain. As a result, an appropriate pain management plan is important both for a successful delivery and to decrease the pain as much as it possible. A variety of analgesics for delivery are used in different regions of the world. Epidural analgesia is the most frequently used method of pain control.

The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and attitude of antenatal mothers regarding painless delivery and to find out the deficit areas with the view to prepare a pamphlet for the same.

An exploratory research approach and non experimental research design was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of 100 antenatal mothers regarding painless delivery who were selected by using purposive sampling technique. The present study was conducted in the antenatal clinic at Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect the relevant data and attitude scale was also used for the same.

This study revealed that most of the antenatal mothers (44%) had average knowledge and a majority of the antenatal mothers i.e. 80% had positive attitude towards painless delivery. The relationship between knowledge and attitude of antenatal mothers was moderately positive regarding painless delivery. Education, occupation, family income, source of information, place of living were found significantly associated with the both knowledge and attitude of antenatal mothers regarding painless delivery.

Although knowledge of antenatal mothers regarding painless delivery is inadequate but their attitude towards painless delivery was positive. Thus, it can be concluded that there is a need to educate them about availability of painless delivery option.