RETHINK - Can we reduce hospital admission in latent labour? v.1.2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The RETHINK Study - A study to determine if pregnant women who pain catastrophise are more likely to attend hospital during the latent phase of labour
IRAS ID
270583
Contact name
Vanessa Bartholomew
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bournemouth University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 26 days
Research summary
The latent phase (‘early labour’) is the first and important part of a woman’s labour. Admission to hospital in early labour increases the chances of a woman having costly interventions such as having her waters broken, a hormone drip to promote labour, epidural analgesia, an assisted birth (forceps or ventouse suction cup used to help birth the baby), and a caesarean section.
Professional advice encourages women experiencing a low risk pregnancy to labour at home for as long as possible. However, women often seek hospital admission because they are anxious and would like more support. Anxiety and loss of confidence in this early stage may slow labour progress and decrease the likelihood of a normal birth.
To date, new models designed to support women in early labour have not had clear impact on specified outcomes, and little is known about the best way to support women at this time. Women’s experiences of early labour point to pain as a significant factor for early hospital admission. However, studies have yet to consider the impact of greater fear and anxiety around pain (pain catastrophising) and how this affects the time when women are admitted to hospital in labour, their labour choices, and birth outcomes.
This is a survey study. It aims to identify a group of low-risk pregnant women, expecting their first child, and who all catastrophise pain. 768 women, who are planning a hospital birth, will be recruited from seven NHS hospital sites in the Wessex region. Participants will be asked to complete two online questionnaires, one whilst they are between 25 and 33 weeks pregnant, the second at approximately one month after childbirth. Approximate total time to complete both questionnaires is 40 minutes. Statistical analysis will determine the prevalence of pain catastrophising and its relationship with predetermined birth outcomes.
REC name
West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/WM/0100
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion