The effects of support during the first stage of labor by nurses versus close family members on pain levels and pain-coping behaviors of laboring women.
Keywords:
labor support, pain management, family involvement, maternal satisfaction, quasi-experimental studyAbstract
This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate pain levels, pain-coping behaviors, and satisfaction during the first stage of labor among laboring women receiving support from either professional nurses or close family members. The study was conducted at the delivery ward of Wichian Buri Hospital from June to September 2025. A total of 50 pregnant women were purposively selected and divided into two groups: 25 participants received standard care from professional nurses, while the other 25 received continuous support from a close family member during labor. Data collection instruments included: (1) a general information form, (2) a labor pain assessment scale, (3) a behavioral checklist for pain-coping behaviors, and (4) a satisfaction questionnaire. All tools were validated by four experts. Descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test were used for data analysis.
The results showed that the group receiving care from nurses reported lower pain levels than those supported by family members; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, pain-coping behaviors were less frequently observed in the family-supported group compared to the nurse-supported group, with no significant difference. Satisfaction scores were higher in the nurse-supported group, but again, the difference was not statistically significant. The findings suggest that family support during labor could be integrated into maternal care strategies to promote a more supportive and family-centered birth experience.
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