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The purpose of this prospective study was to determine (a) if background factors, emotional feelings, and mothers' expectations influence pain intensity during labor, and (b) if primiparas differ from multiparas in regard to these factors. A convenience sample of 50 healthy primiparas and 88 healthy multiparas, ranging in age from 17-41 years, was used. Demographic data were collected at 33 weeks gestation, and pain intensity was measured during three different phases of labor using a Visual Analogue Scale and the Pain-o-meter, a new pain assessment tool. The following factors correlated with more emotional feelings towards pregnancy and higher intensity of in-labor pain: (a) parity, (b) younger age, (c) less education, (d) more menstrual problems, (e) history of abortion, (f) unstable emotional feelings, (g) unrealistic expectations of pain and discomfort, (h) more pain relieving drugs during labor and delivery, and (i) a mate with negative or indifferent feelings toward the pregnancy.
Fridh et al. (Fri,) studied this question.