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BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2004

Open Access 01-12-2004 | Study protocol

Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a decision aid for the management of pain in labour and childbirth [ISRCTN52287533]

Authors: Christine L Roberts, Camille H Raynes-Greenow, Natasha Nassar, Lyndal Trevena, Kirsten McCaffery

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2004

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Abstract

Background

Women report fear of pain in childbirth and often lack complete information on analgesic options prior to labour. Preferences for pain relief should be discussed before labour begins. A woman's antepartum decision to use pain relief is likely influenced by her cultural background, friends, family, the media, literature and her antenatal caregivers. Pregnant women report that information about analgesia was most commonly derived from hearsay and least commonly from health professionals. Decision aids are emerging as a promising tool to assist practitioners and their patients in evidence-based decision making.
Decision aids are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions using information that is unbiased and based on high quality research evidence. Decision aids are non-directive in the sense that they do not aim to steer the user towards any one option, but rather to support decision making which is informed and consistent with personal values.

Methods/design

We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a Pain Relief for Labour decision aid, with and without an audio-component, compared to a pamphlet in a three-arm randomised controlled trial. Approximately 600 women expecting their first baby and planning a vaginal birth will be recruited for the trial.
The primary outcomes of the study are decisional conflict (uncertainty about a course of action), knowledge, anxiety and satisfaction with decision-making and will be assessed using self-administered questionnaires. The decision aid is not intended to influence the type of analgesia used during labour, however we will monitor health service utilisation rates and maternal and perinatal outcomes. This study is funded by a competitive peer-reviewed grant from the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (No. 253635).

Discussion

The Pain Relief for Labour decision aid was developed using the Ottawa Decision Support Framework and systematic reviews of the evidence about the benefits and risks of the non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods of pain relief for labour. It comprises a workbook and worksheet and has been developed in two forms – with and without an audio-component (compact disc). The format allows women to take the decision aid home and discuss it with their partner.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a decision aid for the management of pain in labour and childbirth [ISRCTN52287533]
Authors
Christine L Roberts
Camille H Raynes-Greenow
Natasha Nassar
Lyndal Trevena
Kirsten McCaffery
Publication date
01-12-2004
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2004
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-4-24

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