AN EVALUATION OF VIRTUAL REALITY IN LABOR PAIN DURING VAGINAL CHILDBIRTH

Abstract

Fayiz F. Elshamy, Nagwa Ibrahem Hassan Elshafeay, Eman A. Elhosary, Shereef L. Elshwaikh and Amgad H. M. Abomotah*

Objectives: To determine how using virtual reality affected labouring women during a typical delivery.

Methods: Eighty primiparous, well-educated pregnant women aged 20 to 25 with body mass index scores ranging from 25 to 32 kg/m2 were included in the current study. Two groups of patients were formed: Throughout the initial stage of labour, Group B received routine intranatal care. During the active phase of the first stage of regular labour, Group A made use of virtual reality.

Results: At stage three, the difference between the two groups wasn't significant, as indicated by a p-value of >0.05, while at stage two, group A's labor time was significantly shorter than group B's (p-value<0.05). Group A's total labor duration was significantly less than group B's (P<0.05). During the latent Phase, Active Phase, and at 7-8cm diameters, group A's serum cortisol levels were lower than group B's (P<0.05). During the active Phase, group A's VAS values were significantly lower than group B's, measuring 7-8 cm (P<0.05).

Conclusions: VR had a positive effect on labouring women as it was associated with lower pain, total length of labour, serum cortisol level, and higher APGAR.