THE EFFECTS OF RELATIVE SUPPORT PROGRAM ON PAIN DURING THE FIRST STAGE OF LABOR AMONG PRIMIPA- ROUS WOMEN

Abstract

This Quasi-experimental research aimed to study the effects of relative support program on pain duringthe first stage of labor among primiparous women who give birth at Nangrong Hospital, Burirum Province.Participants were assigned into either control or experimental group by purposive sampling technique resultingin 33 participants in each group.  The participants and relative in experimental group received relative supportprogram including emotional, physical and information support while the participants in the control groupreceived routine care. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain score.  Independent t-test wasemployed for data analysis.

The results revealed that participants in both groups did not have significant different pain score at pre-test  (p=.37).  After received the relative support program, the participants in the experimental group hadsignificantly lower pain scores than the participants in the control groups (p<.01).  Participants in the experimentalgroup had lower different pain scores than the participants in the control group (p<.05).  Participants in bothgroup did not report statistically significant different emotional support (p=.06), but  physical and informationsupport (p<.01). The findings in this study indicated that relative support program can be effective used as anintervention to reduce pain during the first stage of labor.