The Effect of Showing Images of the Foetus with the Virtual Reality Glass During Labour Process on Labour Pain, Birth Perception and Anxiety

Abstract

Aim and objectives: This study was conducted to determine the effect of showing images of the foetus to the pregnant women with the virtual reality glass during labour process on labour pain, childbirth perception and anxiety level.

Background: Virtual reality is an effective and inexpensive method that allows the creation of simulated scenarios in which it interacts with the virtual environment with multisensory stimuli.

Design: This is a randomised controlled experimental study. This study was conducted with the guidelines of Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). The study was enrolled in the Clinical Trials database (NCT04664114).

Methods: The study included 100 pregnant women (50 intervention group and 50 control group). Ultrasound images of the foetus were recorded on the 28th week of pregnancy of the women in the intervention group. These images were shown to the women with the virtual reality glass during labour process. Routine procedures were carried out for the women in the control group. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was applied to both groups when cervical dilatation was 4 cm and 9 cm. The Women's Perception for the Scale of Supportive Care Given During Labor (POBS) and the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) were applied almost two hours after labour.

Results: The VAS scores of the women in the intervention group with 9 cm dilatation and their PASS mean scores were significantly lower than women in the control group while their POBS score were significantly higher (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The results of this study show that showing images of the foetus to women with virtual reality decreased labour pain and anxiety level.

Relevance to clinical practice: It is known that supportive care given during labour is important both for the mother's and baby's health. Therefore, it is important that nurses and midwives, who spend the most time with women and provide the most support, reduce the pain and anxiety of the woman with nonpharmacological practices and make them feel positive feelings about delivery.

Keywords: anxiety; labour; pain; virtual reality.