Effect of Lamaze Method on Child Birth Experiences among Primi Gravid Women During First Stage of Labour in a Selected Hospital of Udupi

Background: Childbirth is a normal life event, yet women are exposed to a significant amount of stress. Many mothers may also experience unnecessary distress and anxiety simply because they did not anticipate or did not know about the normal physical and psychological upheavals that are integral to the childbearing process. In India, child birth preparation is still less of a formality. Pregnant women in general and first-time mothers in particular require a vast amount of information. The Lamaze is such a child birth education method that teaches that birth is a normal, natural, and healthy process and that woman should be empowered to approach it with confidence. Nursing interventions can change perceptions of childbirth experience; even for an unprepared couple. Therefore it is important that the nurse midwife understand the support and teaching roles in child birth education. Here the nurse midwife educates women about the ways they can decrease their perception of pain, such as through relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, distraction, or massage. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Lamaze method on child birth experiences among primi gravid women in first stage of labour. Objectives of The Study: The objectives of the study were to: to find the effect of Lamaze method on child birth experiences among gravid women in terms of labour pain measured using visual analogue scale in experimental group and control group-to find the effect of Lamaze method on child birth experiences among gravid women in terms of behavioral responses as measured using observational check list in experimental and control group. -to find the difference in child birth experiences of gravid women in terms of labour pain in experimental and control group.-to find the difference child birth experiences of gravid women in terms of behavioral responses of experimental and control group. Method: A quasi-experimental time series nonequivalent control group design was used for the present study. Sample consisted of 30 primigravid mothers in the first stage of labour who met the inclusion criteria. They were selected using purposive sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control group (n=15 in each group). Tools used were baseline characteristics of the mother, numerical pain rating scale to assess the labour pain and a structured observation checklist to assess the behavioural responses of the primigravid women during first stage of labour. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The results reveal that the mean scores of labour pain of primigravid women in the first stage of labour in experimental group (2.4,3.86, 7.733) are less than those in control group (4.4, 6.33, 8.633) in all phases (latent, active, transient) respectively. The 't'value computed in all phases ('t' (28) =1.700 at 5% level) shows that there is a significant difference in the labour pains of primigravid women in the first stage of labour in all phases. In the present study most of the women (93.3%) in the experimental group had a high positive behavioral response and only 6.7% of the women had a positive behavioral response. All women belonged to the control group had a positive behavioral response. The results reveal that the mean scores of behavioural responses of primigravid women in the first stage of labour in experimental group were (102.47, 94.07) are higher than those in control group (78.53, 74.6) in both the areas (during contractions and in between contractions).The 't'value computed in two areas ('t' (28) =1.700 at 5% level) shows that there is a significant difference in the behavioural responses of primigravid women in the first stage of labour in both the areas. Interpretation : Lamaze method is effective in improving the child birth experience in terms of labour pain and behavioural responses of primigravid women during the first stage of labour. Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest Lamaze method is very effective for the primigravid to reduce the labour pain and improve their behaviors in a positive way during labour and to have a pleasurable childbirth experience.