Abstract Context: Assessing the effect of Lamaze breathing on labor pain in primigravida mothers. Settings and Design: The study was conducted at Community Health center, kolar road, Bhopal (M.P.). The primigravida mothers who were in first stage of labor were selected from labor room. An experimental research was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Lamaze breathing techniques on labor pain and anxiety. Women taken in control group were assessed for their labor pain, and women in experimental group were instructed to perform Lamaze breathing exercises during pains and their level of pain & anxiety were assessed and then compared with women of control group. Methods and Material: The tools used were- Demographic variables, clinical variables, a visual analogue pain perception scale, and an observational rating scale for performing Lamaze breathing. Statistical Analysis Used: The findings were analyzed using ‘t’ test, chi square test, and Karl Pearson formula. Results: Comparison of level of pain perception between control and experimental group on the basis of paired ‘t’ test shows that the level of pain perception in control group is higher than the experimental group. The mean of control group is 7.55 and of experimental group are 4.55. Mean percent is 75.5% and 45.5% of control and experimental group respectively. And, SD of control group is 0.945 and of experimental group, it is 1.234. The ‘t’ value is 3.96 and P value is P<0.001 which is highly significant. Result shows, that after receiving the Lamaze breathing exercises, the labor outcome during first stage of labor was good. Conclusions: Continuous ongoing assessment helped to evaluate the performance of breathing exercises during pregnancy and labor. Practice of breathing exercises conditioned the mother to breathe and relax during contractions to control the experience of pain in gravid mothers. Practice of breathing exercises shortens the duration of labor, and prevents the complications during labor.
Keywords: Effectiveness; Lamaze Breathing; Primigravida; Labor.