The effect of virtual reality applications in labor on perceived birth pain and satisfaction in primiparous: A design-based study

Aim: The research was carried out to determine the effect of virtual reality application in labor on perceived labor pain and satisfaction levels in primiparous. Material and Method: The study was conducted in a randomized controlled manner with a total of 120 primiparous women who applied to the delivery room of Elazig Fethi Sekin City Hospital between June 2020 and June 2021 (60 Experiments, 60 Controls). The pregnant women in the experimental group were played by the researcher during the active and transitional phases of labor with virtual reality glasses, which were designed for research and included methods used to cope with labor pain. Except for routine care, no application was made to the pregnant women in the control group. In order to determine the pain level of the pregnant women, SDS and SCS were applied four times, before and after the Virtual Reality applications. After delivery, DME-C was applied to both groups. Results: It was found that the perceived pain levels of the pregnants in the experimental group were lower than the control group according to the mean SDS and SCS scores after the intervention in the active and transitional phases; It was determined that the satisfaction levels were higher than the postpartum DME-C score averages (p<0.001). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups when the delivery type, mean delivery time, interventions during labor and newborn findings of the pregnant women in the experimental and control groups were compared (p<0.001). It was determined that the pregnant women in the experimental group were satisfied with the virtual reality application, they wanted to use it in their other births, they thought of recommending it to other pregnant women, it was effective in their relaxation, they did not have any problems during the applications, they liked the balloon popping game and the sea view the most. Conclusion: It was determined that the games designed with virtual reality glasses reduced labor pain and increased the level of birth satisfaction. Key Words: Primiparous, Birth Pain, Birth Satisfaction, Virtual Reality, Midwifery