Evaluating the use of pain relief comparison cards on labour ward

Introduction

Labouring mothers often face uncertainty when choosing the most suitable

analgesic options for pain relief. Many are not fully informed about the available options and

rely on healthcare professionals for guidance. The decision-making process is complicated by

the overwhelming amount of information provided in clinical settings. Websites like Labour

Pains(1) aim to inform expectant mothers with clear, accessible details on pain relief methods.

However, a concise, visual comparison tool is needed to aid discussions between patients and

the perinatal team. This study assessed the perceived value of a newly developed analgesic

comparison card, designed to help healthcare professionals present pain relief options to

mothers during labour. The card offers a side-by-side comparison of analgesics; including their

benefits, risks, and side effects, helping patients make informed decisions.

Methods

Labour Ward Analgesia Comparison cards were created using content from

LabourPains (Fig 1). (1) For non-English speaking mothers, each card includes a QR code

linking to the LabourPains website, offering the same information in multiple languages. These

cards were introduced at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and encouraged for use by the

perinatal team when discussing analgesic options. After two weeks, a survey was sent to

midwives, obstetricians, and anaesthetists to gather feedback on the cards’ utility and assess

whether this patient education tool was effective and if it should be used in the future.

Results

The voluntary survey was completed by 17 participants. Of these, 94% had used the

analgesic comparison cards, with 87.6% incorporating it in most or all cases. 58% introduced

the card before the mother requested analgesia. Over 80% of users felt that labouring mothers

found the card useful, and 88% of staff considered it a useful communication tool (Fig 2). Freetext

feedback highlighted that the card was most beneficial when introduced early, before

significant pain, as some found it overwhelming to present during active labour (Fig 3).

Conclusion

The analgesia comparison card has proven valuable, simplifying the process of

informing mothers about pain relief options and empowering them to make more informed

decisions during labour. Future improvements could include creating a version for pregnancy

loss and offering the card earlier in pregnancy.