Predictors of women's positive childbirth pain experience: Findings from an Icelandic national study

Background: Pain in childbirth has been identified as one of the major components in the childbirth experience and an important topic that needs to be addressed during pregnancy, birth and the after-birth period. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe women's childbirth pain experience and to identify predictors of women's positive childbirth pain experience. Method: A population-based cross-sectional cohort study design was implemented, with convenient consecutive sampling, stratified according to residency. Pregnant women were recruited through 26 health care centers. Participants were sent a questionnaire by mail during early pregnancy and another one five to six months after childbirth. A multiple regression analysis was done, with women's childbirth pain experiences as the dependent variable. Findings: Altogether 726 women participated in the study, with a response rate of 68%. The strongest predictors for women's positive childbirth pain experience were positive attitude to childbirth during pregnancy; support from midwife during childbirth; use of epidural analgesia and low intensity of pain in childbirth. Discussion: The majority of the women in the study experienced childbirth pain as a positive experience, which is in line with studies that have demonstrated that pain in childbirth is different from other kinds of pain. In addition to epidural use as a predictor for positive childbirth pain experience, many other strong predictors exist and must be acknowledged. Conclusion: When planning pregnancy and childbirth services, predictors of positive experience of childbirth pain should be considered and investigated further.