The non-pharmacologic methods of pain management used by midwives during the first stage of labor

English: Many of the non-pharmacologic methods of pain management are closed related to many common nursing comfort and support strategies and may be potentially as effective as narcotics in providing adequate pain relief to a well supported mother who is experiencing a reasonably normal labor. There is ample opportunity for midwives to use non-pharmacologic methods and discover the best modifications for their use during labor since they are the professionals responsible for providing care and support throughout the entire childbirth process. It is also necessary for the midwives and the expectant parents to explore various strategies of managing the pain of labor; in order that informed choices can be made regarding the desired pain relief measures. However,there is a scarcity of literature dealing with exploration and evaluation of the use of these methods by midwives during labor and therefore, additional research is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine the use of non-pharmacologic methods of pain management by the midwives during the first stage of labor. The research design was non-experimental and of a descriptive nature. The survey method was used to obtain the necessary data. The data was obtained by the use of a structured questionnaire which was completed by the midwives working in the maternity wards of the Christian Hospital Association of Lesotho and government hospitals in Lesotho. All data was analysed on a nominal descriptive level. According to the results, the midwives indicated that they were taught nonpharmacologic methods of pain management during basic and advanced midwifery training however, they expressed that they inadequately use these methods during the first stage of labor due to shortage of staff, lack of privacy and space, a high midwife-mother ratio, culture and hospital policies. In the light of these findings, the recommendations were made for maximizing the use of non-pharmacologic methods by midwives during the first stage of labor. Further research in the use of different non-pharmacologic methods was also recommended.