Women's epidural decision-making in labour: a Townsville perspective

Quach, Diane, Woolley, Torres, Pandit, Tarsh, Rane, Ajay, and Ray, Robin A. (2020) Women's epidural decision-making in labour: a Townsville perspective. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 60 (6). pp. 919-927.

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View at Publisher Website: https://doi.org/10.1111/ajo.13199
 
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Abstract

Background: Despite being an efficacious means of labour analgesia, there is a broad range of usage rates among countries worldwide. Australia sits between common usage in North America and more conservative usage in the UK. The reason for this is unclear, raising the question of whether there is a difference between Australia and other Western countries in pregnant women's attitudes toward epidural use, or the hospital context.

Aim: To explore predictors for epidural analgesia request among pregnant women in Townsville, Australia.

Materials and Methods: A three-phase mixed methods exploratory study design, with Phase One involving 12 one-on-one interviews with pregnant and post-partum women regarding attitudes toward labour analgesia decision-making and epidural preferences. Interview data were analysed thematically to develop a survey distributed to 265 third-trimester women in Phase Two. Phase Three involved a chart review of survey participants to record delivery mode, epidural request and indication. Bivariate and logistic regression analysis of Phases Two and Three data were used to develop predictive models for epidural decision-making.

Results: Interviews revealed several themes influencing analgesia preferences in Townsville women: concerns regarding personal safety, trust in health professionals, and previous experiences with labour. The logistic regression identified epidural request in labour to be predicted by: primiparity, epidural experience, induction or augmentation of labour, and perceived sense of control associated with epidural use.

Conclusions: This study suggests that the most significant influencers on Townsville women's epidural decision-making were parity, induction or augmentation of labour, previous experience of epidurals and attitude toward epidurals.

Item ID: 63412
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1479-828X
Keywords: analgesia, epidural, labour, preference, pregnant women
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Copyright Information: © 2020 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Funders: James Cook University
Date Deposited: 23 Jul 2020 04:04
FoR Codes: 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3215 Reproductive medicine > 321502 Obstetrics and gynaecology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920114 Reproductive System and Disorders @ 50%
92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920507 Womens Health @ 50%
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