Pain in childbirth and postpartum recovery: the role of catastrophizing.
This prospective study investigated how pain catastrophizing was related to labor pain intensity and physical recovery after childbirth. Eighty-eight women giving birth for the first time completed the first questionnaire before delivery. Eighty-two of those returned the second questionnaire after delivery. Participants were classified as catastrophizers (n=38) or non-catastrophizers (n=44) based on their scores on the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. Comparison of the groups showed that catastrophizers anticipated and experienced more intense pain (p<.0125) and had poorer physical recovery (p<.0125), measured as the level of self-reported functioning in activities of daily living, than non-catastrophizers. These results extend the association between catastrophizing and pain, to pain and recovery in childbirth and provide support for the fear-avoidance model. It is concluded that pain catastrophizing plays a role in the experience of pain in childbirth and postpartum recovery. Further research is needed to identify appropriate interventions for catastrophizing women during the latter part of pregnancy.
Center for Health and Medical Psychology, Department of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences - Psychology, Orebro University, Sweden. ida.flink@bsr.oru.se
Ida K
IK
Flink
Magdalena Z
MZ
Mroczek
Michael J L
MJ
Sullivan
Steven J
SJ
Linton
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D048949:Labor Pain / Q000523:psychology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000523:psychology*; D036801:Parturition / Q000523:psychology*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D055815:Young Adult