PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF MOTHERS UNDERGOING INDUCTION OF LABOUR IN COMPARISON WITH SPONTANEOUS LABOUR

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR:
Dr. Umadevi N,
Professor and Head,
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
 Government Medical College, Calicut.
E-mail: umdsreyas@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Induction of labor is one of the most common interventions practiced in modern obstetrics. Induction is indicated before the spontaneous onset of labor when the benefit to the mother or the fetus is perceived to outweigh continuation of pregnancy. It causes changes in the psychology of mothers during labor. OBJECTIVES: To compare the psychological aspects and intensity of pain in mothers undergoing induction of labor with those who labor spontaneously MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective comparative study- 75 each in study and control group selected by systematic random sampling method. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical tests of significance- Chi square test and Fisher’s exact test were used. P value <0.05 was considered significant RESULTS: Induced mothers felt significantly more pain (p=0.00002). Incidence of anxiety (p=0.034) and depression (p=0.014) were significantly higher in the induced group. CONCLUSION: The psychological aspects of labor induction which though very relevant receives less attention in our settings. Incidences of pain, anxiety and depression were significantly higher among the induced women. The results imply that the psychological aspects should be given due consideration and steps to reduce the suffering like review of indications for inductions need to be undertaken along with steps to reduce the negative psychological impacts in induced women.

KEYWORDS: Psychological, labor, induction of labor, spontaneous labor Induced Labor, Obstetric Pain.