Biofeedback-assisted relaxation to reduce stress in labor.

OBJECTIVE

To test the feasibility and effectiveness of incorporating biofeedback-assisted relaxation techniques into routine instruction in Lamaze classes.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental design (static groups comparison) was used.

SETTING

Lamaze classes.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 33 subjects recruited from 12 Lamaze classes.

MEASURES: Duration of first-stage labor, amount of sedation and analgesia during first-stage labor, number of complications, and 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores of the neonates.

RESULTS

The experimental subjects reported greater stress during labor than did the control subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the supplementary instruction in reducing stress seemed to promote relaxation during the prenatal classes, it did not reduce distress during labor and delivery because no mothers attempted to use the technique at that time.